Waterford signs town twinning agreement with Ramallah in Palestine
Ambassador Abdalmajid was warmly received, and she urged those in attendance to "keep talking about Palestine."
On Thursday, October 31, Cllr. Jason Murphy, Mayor of Waterford City and County, welcomed the Palestinian Ambassador, Dr Jilan Wahba Abdalmajid, to Ireland.
Ambassador Abdalmajid was present for the official signing of the Waterford Ramallah Twinning agreement, in the Mayor's Parlour in City Hall.
Welcoming the Ambassador to Waterford, the Mayor 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," he added.
The Ambassador was warmly received, and she urged those in attendance to "keep talking about Palestine."
The Ambassador and Mayor then signed the official twinning documents with Issa Kassis, the Mayor of Ramallah, who joined the reception virtually from his city, saying that the Ramallah Municipality was proud to raise the Irish flag earlier this year, after Ireland officially recognised the State of Palestine.
The twinning of Waterford and Ramallah will explore opportunities for both cities to share respective knowledge and experiences of arts and culture, commerce and industry, education, sports and civic development.
Also in attendance was Cllr. Joe Kelly, Mayor of the Metropolitan District, Cllr. Adam Wyse, Deputy Mayor of Waterford City and County, elected representatives, members of the Waterford-Ramallah Twinning Committee, and Sean McKeown, Chief Executive, Waterford City and County Council.