Bournemouth calls for scrapping twinning arrangement with Israel

Bournemouth, a town on the south coast of the UK, has sought to un-twin from the Israeli town of Netanya for over two decades.

For over twenty years, a growing number of Bournemouth residents have opposed the twinning with Netanya, organizing petitions and protests to call for an end to this relationship.

Their efforts culminated in June 2024, when over 1,000 demonstrators marched through Bournemouth in what became the largest rally in modern Dorset history.

This significant display of unity illustrated the town's collective desire to dissociate from a partner with such a fraught history.

In early July 2024, Bournemouth residents from various backgrounds united to create a dramatic visual protest: a kilometer-long red line encircling the town.

This symbol represented the “red lines” crossed by Israel in its ongoing slaughter, particularly in Gaza, where the United Nations and numerous human rights organizations have condemned Israel as an apartheid regime and accused it of committing genocide, including the deliberate starvation of civilians.

Despite calls for change, Bournemouth Council has not ended its ties with Netanya, prompting residents to continue their fight for justice.

The movement in Bournemouth demonstrates the power of community advocacy and the demand for a more ethical stance in global town partnerships.