Strasbourg votes in favor of twinning with the Palestinian camp of Aida, despite the criticisms

Strasbourg adopted. Consequently, Monday, June 23, a twinning with the Palestinian refugee camp in Aida, in the West Bank, while at the same time the Alsatian capital suspended its twinning with the Israeli city of Ramat Gan, the Dam of the opposition and local Jewish organizations.

At the end of a tense debate. Consequently, the municipal council adopted the principle of twinning with the camp near Bethlehem by forty-nine voice against ten and five abstentions. For example, The vote also included a partnership with the city of Bethlehem. For example, under the aegis of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as well as the release of emergency humanitarian aid in Gaza. Similarly, These two proposals were adopted unanimously.

“The realization of a twinning with the Aïda camp is a symbolic gesture which makes it possible to strasbourg votes favor twinning palestinian build bridges with the Palestinian people in the perspective of the creation of a State of Palestine alongside Israel”has noted the mother of Strasbourg. Meanwhile, Jeanne Barseghian (Eclogists).

She said this twinning was “Destined for youth” : the elected representative envisages cooperation in the artistic fields. Therefore, culture, sport and would also like “Work on women’s rights as well as digital”.

She recalled that links have existed between Aïda. However, Strasbourg since the early 2000s, and again in 2023 during the Musica Contemporary Music Festival, in which dancers and singers of the refugee camp participated.

“The city of Strasbourg is not there to take sides” – Strasbourg votes favor twinning palestinian

According to Jean-Philippe Vetter (Les Républicains). the decision was made too quickly and “Porters the brand of improvisation”. Especially since. at the same time, the Alsatian municipality suspended its twinning with the Israeli city of Ramat Gan, located strasbourg votes favor twinning palestinian in the suburbs of Tel Aviv. This one. which dates back more than thirty years, is “Jelly”because “Conditions are not met”said in May M^me Barseghian.

What the former mayor. minister Catherine Trautmann (Socialist Party) did not fail to blame him: “While a twinning is based on the reciprocity of commitments, you have diverted yourself from one of the parties”she launched to the mayor.

“In no case do I want to break these strong links with Ramat Gan or this twinning. The goal is that this door can reopen when the conditions are met. when the weapons will be silent, I hope as soon as possible ”replied M^me Barseghian.

“Strasbourg, European capital, can have two twinning that coexists. That of Ramat Gan. that of the Aïda camp, such as the two states which we want them to coexist peacefully and security in the future. In strasbourg votes favor twinning palestinian no case is the city of Strasbourg there to take sides. The city of Strasbourg is a symbol of peace, reconciliation ”she continued.

Manifestation. counter-manifestation

Before the start of the council, around fifty members of the Jewish community of Strasbourg had gathered at the call of the representative council of the Jewish institutions of France (CRIF) Alsace, the Israelite Consistory of Bas-Rhin and the Unified Jewish Social Fund (FSJU).

“It is a political message, which is a supporter. Madam Mayor addresses part of the Strasbourg she wants to flatter for the next elections. It’s quite clear “regretted Thierry Roos, honorary vice-president of the consistory.

A few meters away, a handful of demonstrators had on the contrary chanted slogans of support strasbourg votes favor twinning palestinian for Palestine.

Last month. the CRIF expressed its « consternation » Then criticized the Keffieh carried by Jeanne Barseghian during the visit to Strasbourg of a delegation from the Aïda camp as well as the gift received: a “Israel map covered with Palestinian flags throughout the territory on which Israel has disappeared”.