London council set to cut Haifa ties over Israel's apartheid against Palestinians

London council set to cut Haifa ties over Israel's apartheid against Palestinians

A Green-led London council in the UK is set to end the borough of Hackney’s 56-year twinning agreement with the Israeli city of Haifa over Israel’s occupation, apartheid and genocide against Palestinians.

Following a campaign and protests by thousands in the last few years, councillors will finally vote on the proposal on Tuesday, fulfilling a Green Party election promise to sever relations with Haifa.

The party took control of the north London council in May and holds 42 of its 57 seats, making the measure almost certain to pass.

Palestine solidarity groups have spent years pressing Hackney’s previous Labour administration to terminate the partnership, established in 1968. Pressure intensified after Israel began its genocide in Gaza in October 2023.

Campaigners have also demanded that the council divest its pension fund from companies connected to Israel’s military and occupation.

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