'Keep talking about Palestine' - Waterford-Ramallah Twinning made official
Palestinian Ambassador to Ireland Dr Jilan Wahba Abdalmajid and Mayor of Waterford City and County, Cllr. Jason Murphy.
Waterford and Ramallah are officially twin cities, as Mayor Jason Murphy and Palestinian Ambassador to Ireland Dr Jilan Wahba Abdalmajid signed the agreement at Waterford City Hall.
The historic event was attended by Mayor of the Metropolitan District Cllr. Joe Kelly, Deputy Mayor of Waterford City and County Cllr. Adam Wyse, elected representatives, members of the Waterford-Ramallah Twinning Committee and Sean McKeown, Chief Executive, Waterford City and County Council.
Ramallah is located on the occupied Left Bank and is the de facto administrative capital of Palestine.
The ceremony marks years of planning organising and cross-community exchanges between the two cities.
Mayor Cllr. Murphy warmly welcomed Ambassador Abdalmajid and expressed hope for a bright future of friendship.
He said: "We are here to celebrate a new connection between Waterford and Ramallah, to formalise a friendship that will bridge two distinct cultures and foster collaboration, understanding, and shared prosperity.
"In a world where division too often overshadows connection, our cities today are planting seeds of friendship, of peace, and of solidarity. Let this twinning serve as a reminder that we are all part of a global community, where each city and each person has something to teach and something to learn."
Ambassador Abdalmajid urged the people to 'keep talking about Palestine'.
Mayor of Ramallah Issa Kassis joined the reception virtually from Ramallah, and said that the Ramallah Municipality was proud to raise the Irish flag earlier this year when Ireland officially recognised the State of Palestine.
In the past 12 months, over 40,000 Palestinian men, women and children have been killed due to Israeli military action and bombardment.
While there are international calls for ceasefire, war and death is delivered onto Occupied Palestine on a daily basis.
Gaza, a city only 80km away from Ramallah, has been nearly obliterated by constant airstrikes, missiles and bombardment.
