The Green Party has said that it will twin Manchester with Ramallah, the capital city of Palestine, if it wins the Greater Manchester mayoral election next week
Their candidate Geraldine Coggins says that a partnership with the West Bank city of Ramallah would create opportunities for long-term collaboration between the cities.
Making the announcement outside the Dar ul Uloom Mosque in Manchester’s Longsight District, Coggins said:
“Greater Manchester has a proud tradition of international solidarity, from the campaign against apartheid to welcoming refugees fleeing conflict. In that spirit, I will explore opportunities to twin Greater Manchester with Ramallah in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, creating lasting partnerships between our communities and demonstrating our commitment to peace, justice and human dignity.”
“It is shameful that Andy Burnham and Bev Craig seem unable or unwilling to call out Israel’s ongoing genocide of the Palestinian people in Gaza. Instead, Labour continues to be complicit in these horrific war crimes trading weapons and offering diplomatic and intelligence cooperation. As the Green mayor of Greater Manchester, I will show that another way is possible.”
Coggins has chosen Ramallah because, like Greater Manchester, it has growing technology, creative and professional services sectors, creating opportunities for collaboration. It is also home to leading universities and research institutions so is well-placed for partnerships with Greater Manchester’s universities. As the de facto administrative centre of the Palestinian Authority and a well-established municipal partner, Ramallah has the capacity to sustain a long-term relationship.
