Hackney Council is preparing to vote on a proposal to formally end its 56-year twinning relationship with Haifa, Israel. The decision follows a sustained campaign by local activists and aligns with a campaign pledge made by the Green Party during recent local elections. Proponents of the move argue that the relationship should be severed in response to Israel’s policies in the Palestinian territories, including allegations of occupation and apartheid.

The twinning agreement, which has been in place since 1968, was intended to foster cultural and social ties between the two municipalities. While the council is moving toward a vote to dissolve this partnership, the specific administrative process for ending such international agreements remains subject to the upcoming council session. The debate reflects broader tensions within local UK politics regarding how municipalities should engage with international conflicts and human rights concerns. While the Middle East Eye reports that the decision is a direct response to the situation in Gaza and the West Bank, the council has yet to release a formal statement detailing the specific legal or diplomatic implications of the potential severance.