Agenda item

Petition: 'End Council Support for Netanya Twinning'

Council is advised that a petition with 2000+ valid signatures has been received, titled: ‘End Council Support for Netanya Twinning’.

 

Statement:

We the undersigned petition the council to take all measures within its power, to cease support for the twinning relationship with Netanya, Israel, including but not limited to: Supporting any official or unofficial visits, exchanges, or cultural programs linked to the twinning. Promoting or endorsing any materials or signs related to the twinning, and consequently, remove all signs, plaques, and promotional materials related to the twinning from council-controlled spaces. Providing any financial or logistical support to Netanya or its representatives. Disclose all council expenditures related to the twinning and commit to full transparency moving forward. Taking this action will allow the council to demonstrate its commitment to upholding human rights, equality, and peace.

 

Justification:

Reasoning:
Netanya is a city in Israel that supports and benefits from the ongoing occupation and oppression of the Palestinian people. At a time when Israel is carrying out a genocide in Gaza, continuing this twinning sends the wrong message. Ending council support reflects our community’s commitment to human rights, equality, and peace.

 

Notices of Motions in accordance with Procedure Rule 10 relating to this matter

The following motion submitted in accordance with Procedure Rule 10 of the Meeting Procedure Rules has been proposed by Councillor K Salmon and seconded by Councillor J Salmon.

 

Motion: suspension of council support for the Bournemouth–Netanya twinning arrangement

Council notes the content of the public petition presented at its meeting of 22 July 2025 and resolves to:

1.    Suspend all support for the Bournemouth–Netanya twinning arrangement with immediate effect until Council decides otherwise;

2.    Remove existing road signs and anything else within the Council’s control that refers to the twinning within the public realm (including online), within two months of this resolution; and

3.    Instruct the Leader and Chief Executive to write, within four weeks, to the Mayor of Netanya and the Chair of the Bournemouth-Netanya twinning association confirming the Council’s suspension of civic support until circumstances allow the matter to be reviewed.

 

Minutes:

The lead petitioner, Feda Sahahien, introduced the petition to Council as follows:

 

Statement:

 

We the undersigned petition the Council to take all measures within its power to cease support for the twinning relationship with Netanya, Israel, including but not limited to:

-       Supporting any official or unofficial visits, exchanges, or cultural programs linked to the twinning;

-       Promoting or endorsing any materials or signs related to the twinning, and consequently, remove all signs, plaques, and promotional materials related to the twinning from council-controlled spaces;

-       Providing any financial or logistical support to Netanya or its representatives.

-       Disclose all council expenditures related to the twinning and commit to full transparency moving forward.

 

Taking this action will allow the council to demonstrate its commitment to upholding human rights, equality, and peace.

 

Justification:

 

Netanya is a city in Israel that supports and benefits from the ongoing occupation and oppression of the Palestinian people. At a time when Israel is carrying out a genocide in Gaza, continuing this twinning sends the wrong message. Ending council support reflects our community’s commitment to human rights, equality, and peace.

 

After asking questions to elicit additional information from the lead petitioner, Council moved to the debate.

 

A motion was moved by Councillor Kate Salmon and seconded by Councillor Joe Salmon which read as follows:

 

“Council notes the content of the public petition presented at its meeting of 22 July 2025 and resolves to:

  1. Suspend all support for the Bournemouth–Netanya twinning arrangement with immediate effect until Council decides otherwise;
  2. Remove existing road signs and anything else within the Council’s control that refers to the twinning within the public realm (including online), within two months of this resolution; and
  3. Instruct the Leader and Chief Executive to write, within four weeks, to the Mayor of Netanya and the Chair of the Bournemouth-Netanya twinning association confirming the Council’s suspension of civic support until circumstances allow the matter to be reviewed.”

 

An amendment to the motion was moved by Councillor Richard Burton and seconded by Councillor Lawrence Williams which amended the motion to read as follows:

 

“Council:

  1. notes the content of the public petition presented at its meeting of 22 July 2025 and notes also that it is not the role of the Council to support or condemn matters occurring in the region;
  2. notes that the Council does not currently have any involvement in the Bournemouth-Netanya twinning arrangement, other than the management of the current signage, which has been susceptible to unauthorised damage and removal; and
  3. Council resolves to take no view on the appropriateness of the twinning arrangement, and therefore neither wishes to promote the twinning nor to criticise it. Therefore, BCP Council will not remove signage, but it will also not fund replacing signage that has otherwise been removed.”

 

Cllr Kate Salmon did not accept the proposed amendment, and Council moved to debate on the proposed amendment. A motion for a recorded vote was moved, seconded, and lost. Council moved to vote on the amendment.

 

The motion was carried, and Council moved to the debate and vote on the substantive motion.

 

Voting: F31:A15 (12 abstentions)

 

The Motion was carried and it was:

 

RESOLVED: - That Council

  1. notes the content of the public petition presented at its meeting of 22 July 2025 and notes also that it is not the role of the Council to support or condemn matters occurring in the region;
  2. notes that the Council does not currently have any involvement in the Bournemouth-Netanya twinning arrangement, other than the management of the current signage, which has been susceptible to unauthorised damage and removal; and
  3. resolves to take no view on the appropriateness of the twinning arrangement, and therefore neither wishes to promote the twinning nor to criticise it. Therefore, BCP Council will not remove signage, but it will also not fund replacing signage that has otherwise been removed.

 

Voting: F30:A15 (14 abstentions)