The Belgian municipality of Ixelles has suspended its twinning with the Israeli town of Megiddo, according to the Belgian-Palestinian Association (ABP).
This decision, confirmed by Mayor Christos Doulkeridis (Ecolo) on 2 July, comes in light of the local executive's belief that any peace-promoting action involving an Israeli municipality is currently unfeasible.
Back on 20 June, around one hundred pro-Palestinian protestors rallied in the municipality, a demand they've upheld for over eighteen months, alongside a coalition of various organisations. These include the League of Human Rights, Union of Jewish Progressives, Christian Workers' Movement, Young Socialists' Movement, Intal, Ecolo J, and others.
As quoted by the ABP, the municipality noted the impossibility of taking any credible initiative towards dialogue and peace. They argued that the maintenance of this twinning could be interpreted as an endorsement of the current policies of the Israeli state.
A solidarity action to demand an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza, Thursday 20 June 2024 in front of the city hall in Elsene/ Ixelles, Brussels. Credit: Belga / Timon Ramboer
In the letter, Ixelles highlights "the scope and the duration of the Israeli government's retaliation in the Gaza Strip" following the 7 October terrorist attack, the "many civilian casualties," the "stances taken by the International Court of Justice," and the "unrelenting continuation of the colonisation policy."
Centre-right critique
The mayor’s move has been criticised by the Ixelles opposition parties, Les Engagés and MR.
In a press release issued by Gautier Calomne and Viviane Teitelbaum (MR), and Geoffroy Kensier and Isabelle Montoya (Les Engagés – Objectif XL), they noted their regret over the "lack of consultation, transparency and relevance of such a decision." They are demanding a further explanation from the mayor about the move.
They are querying how it is that this decision was only made known to them via a press release from an association a few hours after the latest municipal council meeting, which could not consult it, even though there were two council meetings on 4 July and 5 September.
They emphasised that Ixelles is twinned with Meggido in Israel and the Palestinian city of Zababdeh, making it one of the few municipalities in Belgium to be partnered with locations in both Israel and Palestine.
They purely believe this was an opportunity to maintain dialogue and support all peace initiatives in the region. "Breaking off dialogue can only lead to a stalemate. The current dramatic situation requires a balanced approach that avoids escalation and importing the conflict into our locality."
Despite this, the Belgian-Palestinian Association (ABP) saluted the significant action taken by the local authorities, while also expressing regret that the decision was not made permanent by a vote to formally break the twinning agreement
