Palestinian Mayor Of Bil'in Invited To Derry

A statement issued late last week by Catherine Hutton, Branch Rep, Derry IPSC


The Derry Branch of Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign welcomes the decision by Derry and Strabane District Council to extend an official invitation to the Mayor of Bil'in Village Council, Mr Basel Mansour. A proposal to invite Mr Mansour was put to a vote before councillors today and passed.

A counter proposal was made to invite the Israeli Mayor of Jerusalem,. This was rejected by a vote. Derry & Strabane District Council recently voted to adopt a motion in support of Boycott, Divestment & Sanctions of the Israeli regime & solidarity with the Palestinian people in their struggle for Freedom justice and equality. This invitation to the Mayor of Bil'in is in line with the corporate position of the Council to implement the motion.

This invitation further enhances the links between Bil'in and Derry especially following the Derry IPSC show of solidarity on the Donegal/Derry border with Palestinian author and peace activist Iyad Burnat who himself comes from Bil'in and who on his return spoke in glowing terms to the Mayor of Bil'in about Derry IPSC and the warm reception he received at his book launch. 

With this invitation, Derry and Strabane District Council show that it stands in solidarity with the people of Palestine and Bil'in by welcoming their Mayor.


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