The Green-led Hackney Council has initiated the formal process to sever its 58-year twinning arrangement with Haifa, Israel, a move that has drawn sharp criticism from community groups who say it incites antisemitism and division.
Ending a decades-old partnership
The council, which came to power after a decisive victory in the May elections, promised during the campaign to end the sister-city relationship established in 1968. The arrangement was originally intended to "encourage friendly contacts and exchanges between the ordinary citizens" of the two cities. Following the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war in October 2023, pressure mounted from activist groups to terminate the partnership, particularly after allegations by Amnesty International and others that Israel had committed war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide in Gaza.
Backlash from community leaders
The proposed de-twinning has been met with strong opposition. Martin Sugarman, Chair of the Hackney Anglo-Israel Friendship Association (HAIFA), said: "The de-twinning will create huge social dis-cohesion and be seen for what it really is: an incitement to hate Jews and Zionists and Israelis, an invitation to daub our streets with Jew hate slogans and posters, and incite violent individuals to attack Jews whenever they can and whenever they wish."
Linda Kelly, a former Speaker of Hackney, and other HAIFA figures called the proposals "absolutely disgraceful," arguing that the council should focus on local issues like education, policing, housing, and the NHS instead of politicizing a non-political relationship. Resident Asher Eisen said de-twinning would be "a real kick in the teeth for the progressive forces in Israel."
Council's next steps
At the next full council meeting on July 28, the council will be asked to approve plans to engage with Haifa's municipality and conduct an equalities impact assessment. A cross-party working group, chaired by a senior councillor, will review the twinning policy and present recommendations for a future vote. The group is expected to meet three times before reporting back.
The council noted that in recent years, the connection between the two cities has been largely limited to hospital exchanges between Homerton Hospital and Rambam Medical Centre, which have been dormant since the COVID-19 pandemic. The Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) has argued for severing all ties, citing alleged "racist domination" of Palestinians and the presence of arms manufacturer Elbit Systems' global headquarters in Haifa.
Political context and pension fund divestment
Since October 7, 2023, the PSC and Greens pressured the previous Labour administration to end the twinning and divest the council's pension fund from firms linked to Israel's military activity. Former Mayor Caroline Woodley refused twice, citing concerns over community tensions and a lack of council power to divest. New Mayor Zoë Garbett has since met with the PSC and committed to begin divesting by excluding companies "complicit in territorial human rights violations."
The Labour Group and Hackney Council declined to comment until a decision is reached by the full council. The immediate proposal for Mayor Garbett to write to the Mayor of Haifa seeking views on the termination will be voted on July 28.
