Councillors have backed a proposal to twin Newry with the Palestinian city of Ramallah.
Newry Mourne and Down Council will now initiate the process by writing to the Mayor of Ramallah, Issa Kassis.
The motion was brough by SDLP councillor Killian Feehan, in response to scenes from war ravaged Gaza that he said “horrify people on a daily basis” and was backed by his own party, Sinn Fein and Alliance.
The councillor said people felt a “profound sense of despair” and helplessness when it came to providing meaningful support for the Palestinian people.
“That is why I brought this proposal forward – I believe that formally twinning Newry with the city of Ramallah, Palestine’s administrative capital, would make it clear to the people of Palestine that we stand in solidarity with them, that we recognise their suffering, and that we share their pain,” he said.
“Twin-city relationships came to prominence during the Second World War, when the concept emerged as a way of establishing solidarity links between cities that endured similar hardships or devastating events,” Mr Feehan said.
Meanwhile, Bohemian Football Club in Dublin has announced it’s women’s team will play the Palestinian FA’s women’s team on May 15 at Dalymount Park to mark the 75th anniversary of the Nakba.
