The Green Party mayor of Hackney, Zoë Garbett, has faced criticism after setting a deadline to end the borough’s nearly 60-year twinning arrangement with the Israeli city of Haifa on October 7—the third anniversary of a deadly Hamas attack on Israel. The decision has sparked accusations of insensitivity and provoked an official apology from Hackney Council, which subsequently moved the consultation deadline to October 5.
Hackney Council, now under Green Party control following local elections in May, voted earlier this week to terminate its long-standing partnership with Haifa in protest against the situation in Gaza. Mayor Garbett formally notified Haifa’s mayor, Yona Yahav, that the council had agreed “in principle” to end the twinning arrangement and invited a response by the specified date.
The letter’s timing drew swift condemnation. Phil Rosenberg, president of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, described the choice of anniversary as “an appalling” and “staggeringly insensitive” decision. He emphasised Haifa’s reputation as a diverse and progressive city, known for ethnic and religious coexistence, and called on the Hackney Greens to reconsider their stance. “If the Hackney Greens had any genuine interest in peace they would celebrate Haifa, not censure it,” Rosenberg added.
Similarly, Martin Sugarman, chairman of the Hackney Anglo Israel Friendship Association, suggested that if the October 7 deadline was deliberately selected, it was “vile and sinister.” He also questioned the council’s awareness of the date’s significance, stating that if set in error, it represented a grave oversight warranting accountability.
In response to the backlash, Hackney Council apologised for the “error” and the insensitivity shown in choosing the deadline. The consultation period for the public and officials to express their views regarding the proposed termination of the twinning agreement was moved to conclude on October 5.
The twinning arrangement between Hackney and Haifa, established almost six decades ago, has been viewed as a symbol of friendship and cooperation. Haifa is often cited as one of Israel’s most progressive cities, with a reputation for fostering coexistence among its diverse communities. The council’s decision to reconsider the partnership underscores the continuing tensions and differing perspectives surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which have reverberated through local and international communities alike.
While the Green Party majority in Hackney advocates for the move as a form of protest in response to recent events in Gaza, critics argue that ending ties with Haifa—a city seen by some as a model of coexistence—misses an opportunity to bridge divides. The controversy illustrates the difficulties local governments face when addressing complex international issues with strong symbolic resonance.