Petition to axe GC sister city link to Israel

A petition has been launched by a pro-palestine group on the Gold Coast, calling on the council to withdraw its “Sister City” agreement with Netanya, a coastal resort city in Israel.

In July 1987, Gold Coast Mayor Dennis Pie signed a Sister City Agreement between the Gold Coast and the city of Netanya, located roughly 100 kilometres north of Gaza.

A sister city, or a twin city, is a form of legal and social agreement between two states that promotes cultural and commercial ties.

Gold Coast currently has 15 sister cities, including in Dubai, Wuhan, Taipei and Chengdu.

The Gold Coast for Palestine group started the petition on Sunday, and has garnered more than 300 votes.

“We the undersigned respectfully petition Gold Coast City

Council to withdraw its Sister City relationship with Netanya, Israel, until such time as the Israeli Defence Force (IDF) implements a permanent ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and Israel abides by international humanitarian law,” the petition read.

“By acting now, Gold Coast City Council will send a strong message to Israel to respect human rights and join the growing number of local councils in Australia and around the world in supporting an immediate, permanent ceasefire and to end the war on Gaza.”

A protest was also organised by the group, which will take place in Broadwater Parklands at The Great Lawn on Saturday.

“We will have the Gold Coast petition to sign to remove our sister city relationship with Netanya, Israel.”

A spokesperson for the city council said they were not yet aware of the petition.