Key facts
- Hackney Council in London is considering ending its twinning agreement with Haifa, Israel.
- The twinning agreement has been in place for 56 years.
- The proposal to end the agreement was put forward by the Green Party.
- The Green Party cites concerns over Israel's policies towards Palestinians.
- These policies are described by the Green Party as occupation and apartheid.
Hackney Council in London is on the verge of discontinuing its 56-year-old twinning agreement with Haifa, Israel. The proposal to end this partnership originated from the Green Party, which has raised serious concerns regarding Israel's policies and actions concerning Palestinians. The Green Party explicitly describes these policies as constituting occupation and apartheid. This potential move by Hackney Council represents a significant development in its international relations and could signal a broader trend of local authorities reassessing ties with Israeli cities over human rights issues. The council's decision is pending, but the proposal highlights growing international scrutiny of Israel's conduct.