Hackney’s Green Mayor Sparks Fury with October 7th Ultimatum to Israeli Twin City

Hackney Council, now under Green Party control, has voted to begin the process of severing its 58-year twinning agreement with Haifa, Israel. The decision, led by Mayor Zoe Garbett, has been met with outrage, particularly after Garbett demanded a response from Haifa’s Mayor by October 7th, the anniversary of the Hamas attacks. This move fulfills a Green Party manifesto pledge, as reported by GB News Politics.

Green Pledge Becomes Policy

Hackney Council officially voted on Tuesday to initiate the termination of its long-standing twinning agreement with Haifa. This action directly implements a key promise from the Green Party’s local election manifesto in May, which committed to reviewing and potentially ending international relationships deemed inconsistent with the council’s values.

The agreement, established in 1968, has fostered cultural, civic, and community exchanges for nearly six decades, including significant medical links between Homerton Hospital in Hackney and Rambam Medical Centre in Haifa.

October 7th Deadline Sparks Outrage

The most contentious aspect of the council’s decision is Mayor Zoe Garbett’s letter to Haifa’s Mayor, Yona Yahav, requesting a response regarding the termination proposal by October 7th. This date marks the third anniversary of the devastating Hamas attacks on Israel, a detail that has provoked widespread condemnation.

“As the directly elected Mayor, I wish to be transparent about my administration’s direction, as set out in my party’s manifesto: my administration is seeking to conclude this chapter of our civic history.”

— Zoe Garbett, Hackney Mayor, writing to Haifa Mayor Yona Yahav

Critics have labelled the choice of date as “appalling” and “sickening,” viewing it as a deliberate insult to Israelis grieving the victims of the October 7th massacre. The council was reportedly forced to issue an apology and change a public consultation end date after similar outrage.

Values, Human Rights, and Accusations of Genocide

Mayor Garbett justified the council’s stance by stating, “This Council stands up for human rights and wants to ensure our global connections reflect our shared core values.” She explicitly referenced “the gravity of the UN Commission of Inquiry Reports concluding Israel has committed genocide,” arguing that “maintaining a civic connection with what is widely recognised is a military port city is fundamentally at odds with our anti-racist values.”

• Hackney Council voted to begin terminating its 58-year twinning agreement with Haifa.
• Green Mayor Zoe Garbett cited UN reports alleging Israeli genocide as justification.
• A letter from Garbett to Haifa’s Mayor demanded a response by October 7th.
• The October 7th deadline has been widely condemned as insensitive.
• The twinning agreement, established in 1968, fostered cultural and medical exchanges.
• A cross-party working group will now review the decision, alongside public consultation.

The Path Forward: Review and Reaction

Despite the initial vote, the termination is not immediate. The council will establish a cross-party working group, conduct a public engagement period, and carry out a full equalities impact assessment before a final decision is made. This process is expected to take months, with councillors aiming for a final vote by the end of the year.

The move has been welcomed by groups like the Hackney Palestine Solidarity Campaign, who previously petitioned for the de-twinning. However, it has drawn sharp criticism from Jewish community organisations and opposition councillors who argue that Haifa is a diverse city that promotes coexistence and that the decision risks inflaming community tensions.

This decision by Hackney Council, driven by its Green leadership, marks a significant shift in local authority foreign policy and sets a precedent for other councils considering similar actions. The controversy surrounding the October 7th deadline ensures this issue will remain a flashpoint in UK local politics.

Source: GB News Politics | Breaking Brexit News