💾 Archived View for eir.mooo.com › nuacht › doi17071344686.gmi captured on 2024-02-05 at 09:42:51. Gemini links have been rewritten to link to archived content

-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Derry - Bethlehem twin in show of support

Catherine McGinty, 5 Feb

Derry and Strabane are to twin with the town of Bethlehem in the

Israeli-occupied West Bank of Palestine.

The move follows a Motion brought before January’s full meeting of

Derry City and Strabane District Council by Cllr Catherine McDaid

(SDLP).

The Motion read: “This Council notes with grave concern the ongoing

loss of life in the tragic war in Palestine. It notes that the ongoing

genocide in Gaza is completely abhorrent and that the impact of the

Israeli occupation is being felt right across the region, including in

the West Bank.

“This Council commits to contacting the local authorities within

Bethlehem and to start the process of twinning Derry and Strabane with

Bethlehem city, to show our support to the people of the region and to

develop our relationship with Bethlehem in order to develop links for

education, culture and economy.”

Opening the discussion, Cllr McDaid branded as “completely

unacceptable” the “murder of more than 26,000 innocent civilians” in

Palestine since October 7, 2023.

[w1000-1707130243862.jpg--action__ending_violence_against_women_and_gir

ls____derry_council.jpg?1707130243891]

Action ‘Ending Violence Against Women and Girls' - Derry council

‘There can be no place for tolerance for sexism and misogyny’ - Cllr

Cáitlin Deeney

She added: “But, this war didn’t start on October 7 last year. It

started 76 years ago when Israel accelerated its expansive occupation

of Palestine.

“Israel has been systematically invading Palestinian land since 1948

and this recent genocide we are witnessing, in real time, on TV and on

social media, is just the most recent element of the Israeli ambition

to wipe out Palestine and settle on all Palestinian land.

“Political and military leaders in Israel have confirmed this is their

goal. This is ethnic cleansing. In this city, we understand and

empathise with the people of Palestine. We know what it is like to live

under occupation and we know only too well the devastating impact of

violence committed by an occupying army.

“Although all eyes are on Gaza at the minute, the Israeli army

continues to carry out raids, drop bombs and force more and more people

from their homes in the West Bank.

“Church leaders and the City Council in Bethlehem decided in November

to abandon festive celebrations as a mark of solidarity with the people

of Gaza. Many people living in Bethlehem have links to Gaza through

family, whether they are Muslim or Palestinian Christian. This was a

huge decision and will have impacted every aspect of the religious

practices, economy, livelihoods and tourism, but the Council knew it

needed to happen,” said Cllr McDaid.

Praising Bethlehem Council, Cllr McDaid said she admired its “strength,

solidarity and selflessness”.

“I think there are people in this country that need to take a leaf from

their book, put their heads above the parapet and call out this

genocide for what it is and call for a ceasefire,” said Cllr McDaid.

She added: “If we pass this Motion, it will demonstrate on a global

stage that Derry and Strabane and indeed Ireland recognise the plight

of the Palestinian people.

“It sets an example of moral standing to the world,” said Cllr McDaid.

Seconding the Motion, Cllr Aisling Hutton (Sinn Féin) said this was a

good time to be twinning with Bethlehem.

“We would be building a relationship with the people of Bethlehem and

them having the confidence to know that the world is listening, and our

Council making them aware we are listening.

“The people of Gaza and Palestine are showing resilience. This will

also build on their resilience. We have so much in common with the

people of Palestine. This really strong message of solidarity is

welcomed and thanks to Cllr McDaid for bringing it forward,” concluded

Cllr Hutton.

Cllr Shaun Harkin said in the West Bank, before October 7, the number

of illegal settlers went from 200,000 to 700,000.

“This was making it very clear to Palestinians that they were going to

be deprived of their land. They were being ethnically transferred. I

think it is right to broaden out the focus to what is happening in the

West Bank.”

Opposing the twinning of Derry and Strabane with Bethlehem, Ald Niree

McMorris (DUP) asked if it would require councillors “to ignore the

lack of basic freedoms endured by the population of Bethlehem living

under the Palestinian Authority?”

She added: “According to the Global Monitor, Freedom House, the

territory governed by the Palestinian Authority, of which Bethlehem is

a part, is classed as ‘Not Free’.

“The Palestinian Authority governs Bethlehem in an authoritarian

manner, engaging in acts of repression against journalists and

political opponents.

“In contrast, Israel is classed as a ‘Free Country’ by Freedom House. A

country which grants political rights and civil liberties to its

citizens.”

Voicing support for the Motion, Cllr Gary Donnelly (Independent) said:

“We in Ireland know what it is like to have that solidarity and how

appreciated it is.”

Challenging Ald McMorris, Cllr McDaid said she would question the

former’s sources.

“I would encourage everyone to look up Freedom House and see what they

are related to and see what they stand for.”

The Motion to twin Derry and Strabane with Bethlehem was subsequently

passed.