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BBC News
2 days ago
- Politics
- BBC News
Brent Council defends decision to twin with Nablus
A north-west London council has defended its decision to twin with an occupied city in the West a full council meeting held in May, Brent Council voted to twin with Nablus to promote "cultural, social, economic, and educational exchanges".Since then, a petition has been set up against the move, saying the twinning did not give due regard to the effects this decision would have on all of its Labour council leader Muhammed Butt said it "was not taken lightly" and that it "followed a period of public engagement, including a petition signed by more than 2,000 residents". In an email response to residents, Butt said he wanted to "acknowledge the pain and trauma that continue to affect Jewish communities both here in Brent and around the world following the horrific terrorist attacks committed by Hamas on October 7th".He said the decision to twin did not represent "support for any political group or administration in Nablus"."Rather, it reflects Brent's humanitarian values and a desire to connect with ordinary people in another part of the world who, like us, strive for peace, education, dignity, and progress for the next generation," he said. Nablus sits in the West Bank, a landlocked territory illegally occupied by Israel in a war in 1967, along with the Gaza Strip. Hamas has controlled Gaza, while Fatah administers most of the West Bank. The two groups are rivals; the Hamas movement was founded to challenge the Fatah-led Palestinian Liberation Organisation and took control of the Gaza Strip in has recognised Israel, said it renounced terrorism in 1988 and seeks a two-state solution for a Palestinian homeland; Hamas is committed to the destruction of Israel and killed more than 1,200 people and took 251 hostage in a cross-border attack on 7 October then, more than 50,000 people have been killed in Gaza, according to the territory's Hamas-run health ministry. 'Raise awareness' Brent's Labour group leader Ihtesham Afzal spearheaded the campaign for the partnership. He called the decision "momentous" and "significant"."We'll be doing cultural exchanges, sharing art, history, culture, tradition, poetry, language along with architecture," he said."We'll be collaborating for the mutual benefit of both Brent and Nablus."He added the scheme would "raise awareness about what's happening in Palestine" and that it was first mentioned in 2021-22. "This has not been triggered over what happened in the last couple of years, it's been a long time coming," he money would come from the council's budget and council workers' time would not be spent on it as it was a community project, he added. According to the 2021 Census, Brent has the second highest Arab diaspora in England and Wales, second only to Birmingham with Arabs making up 5.3% of the Brent population (17,924 people)."This is a non exclusionary project. This is showcasing what we're about in Brent; we have Muslim people, Christian people, Jewish people, Hindu, Sikh - we have everybody across the board. We are a melting pot," said asked if he had heard back from the Jewish community on taking part, he said "not in relation as to whether they'll be part of this initiative"."When out on the marches, we have Jewish people, Christian people, Muslim people, Hindu, Sikh, everybody is out. People of all faiths and no faiths and we have that evidence of the support (of the twinning) from the grassroots individuals in the community." 'Particularly dangerous' But Conservative councillor Michael Maurice, who opposed the move, said he was "disappointed" with the decision and that it would be "dangerous" for Brent residents to go to Nablus on exchange trips. "When the motion was first put forward back in November, I proposed a counter motion that Brent should twin with a city or town possibly in Israel which had a mixed Jewish, Arab, Christian community."I'm not opposed to twinning with any particular cities, but I think Nablus is particularly dangerous." On Tuesday, the Israeli army launched a raid on the city, killing two Palestinians according to the Palestinian ministry of health. The Israeli army said it was undertaking a counterterrorism ministers have recently approved new Jewish settlements which are widely seen as illegal under international law, though Israel disputes said twinning was also a question of exchange visits. "In other words, we will go to them and stay with them and take part in their programme and they can come to us and take part in our programmes but it would be very dangerous for us to go there."The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office travel currently advises against all but essential travel to Nablus. Motasem Zaid, a Palestinian engineer who lives in Brent, said he was overwhelmed by the support and solidarity he was shown by people in the believed twinning was about forming a long-term relationship that would last beyond the conflict."It can be and it will be hopefully beneficial for both communities economically, culturally, even with the exchange between the educational institutions between the two communities," he said."The twinning is not meant to exclude anyone. It's meant to do the opposite, it's meant to include everyone."It's not going to cost the council or the taxpayer anything. So to me, if I'm taking this solidarity part out of the equation, it's a risk-free investment."Jewish resident Ian Collier said the twinning was not started the petition against the decision and is calling on the council to reconsider. "Everybody that I spoke to was quite disgusted, as I was, about the idea and the concept," he said."We felt it was just totally out of character with what a council should be doing for its residents."We don't believe it's in the interest of some elements of the community and it does put a number of people in the community at physical harm."At the last count, there were 3,700 Jews living in Brent. I believe that each and everyone of them will feel more threatened because of any particular influence that people in Brent, or worse still the children of people in Brent, receive from having correspondence or interaction with the people of Nablus." Retired GP Jonathan Fluxman, who represents a different Jewish voice in Brent, said twinning would foster understanding."We've heard the stories over and over again," he said. "Othering of Palestinians, of Arabs, of people from the Middle East. 'They're not like us. They don't share our values'. "I think that's nonsense. We are all human beings. We all share a common humanity, and what we need to do is interact with each other and understand each other."There's been a lot of talk about Jewish fears of safety and being made uncomfortable. I have no sense of fear about this." According to the Local Government Information Unit (LGIU) the UK has approximately 2,000 twinning links, which are legal or social agreements between two cities, towns or villages, to boost trade and tourism, promote peace and cultural exchange. The LGIU said such arrangements were "good for fostering business connections and mutually beneficial economic partnerships".Brent has also been twinned with South Dublin County Council since 1997.
Arab News
14-04-2025
- Arab News
Graves of babies among dozens vandalized in suspected Islamophobic attack at UK cemetery
LONDON: Dozens of graves, including those of babies and young children, were desecrated in a suspected Islamophobic hate crime in the British town of Watford, near London, prompting widespread condemnation and sorrow from the local community. The vandalism, which affected up to 85 graves, is under investigation by Hertfordshire Police. Officers have yet to make any arrests, The Independent newspaper reported on Monday. The damage was discovered over the weekend by a grieving family visiting the cemetery following a recent burial. The distressing scene sparked an immediate outpouring of grief and support. A spokesperson for Wadi Funeralcare described the vandalism as 'unspeakable acts of disrespect,' and added: 'Their pain and anguish was deeply felt by all of us. We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the many individuals and organizations who responded swiftly and stood in solidarity with the affected families and our wider community.' The spokesperson said the incident had 'deeply shaken' the Muslim community but the swift response and shared outrage reinforced the 'strength we have when we stand together.' The leader of the local Brent Council, Muhammed Butt, urged members of the public to come forward with any information that could help police, and expressed his sympathy for the bereaved families. 'I cannot imagine how they must be feeling at this moment,' he said. 'It looks as though Muslim graves have been targeted in what appears to be an Islamophobic hate crime. 'There is absolutely no place for hate or discrimination of any kind anywhere, but particularly in London, a city where everyone is welcome and our diversity is one of our greatest strengths.' Brent Council will replace the damaged name plaques and work to restore the cemetery to its proper state, he added. 'We will return Carpenders Park Lawn Cemetery to a peaceful, quiet place of remembrance as quickly as possible once the police have finished their investigation,' said Butt. Hertfordshire Police confirmed that officers were still at the site carrying out inquiries. Chief Superintendent Jon Simpson, from the Local Policing Command, said the force was treating the incident with the utmost seriousness. 'This is an abhorrent incident and one that will understandably spark an emotive reaction in the community,' he said. 'We are continuing to work closely with our local community leaders and our partners at Brent Council, which owns the site, to identify those families who have been affected but we appreciate that this will take some time. 'At this stage, we are keeping an open mind as to the nature of this incident and in the coming days we will continue to engage with our Muslim communities to provide support and reassurance. 'We're also working with specialist officers in the constabulary to ensure we remain sensitive and respectful to the needs of the communities involved.'
The Independent
14-04-2025
- The Independent
Children and babies' graves among up to 85 damaged in ‘Islamophobic hate crime' at Watford cemetery
Children and babies' graves are among up to 85 desecrated at a cemetery in what the council has branded an ' Islamophobic hate crime '. Muslim burial sites were ripped out of the ground or destroyed in Carpenders Park Lawn cemetery in Watford on Saturday, sparking grief and outrage from families and the local community. All of the graves vandalised were in a section reserved for Muslim burials, police said as they investigate. No arrests have been made so far. A grieving family made the distressing discovery when they went to a visit to the Hertfordshire cemetery after burying their loved one. A spokesperson for Wadi Funeralcare said some graves were subjected to 'unspeakable acts of disrespect'. He told The Independent: 'Their pain and anguish was deeply felt by all of us. 'We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the many individuals and organisations who responded swiftly and stood in solidarity with the affected families and our wider community.' He added: 'This incident has deeply shaken our community, but the swift response and shared outrage remind us of the strength we have when we stand together.' Cllr Muhammed Butt, Leader of Brent Council, urged anyone with information to contact police said his thoughts were with the families of those whose graves were desecrated. 'I cannot imagine how they must be feeling at this moment,' he said. 'It looks as though Muslim graves have been targeted in what appears to be an Islamophobic hate crime,' he said. 'There is absolutely no place for hate or discrimination of any kind anywhere, but particularly in London – a city where everyone is welcome and our diversity is one of our greatest strengths.' Mr Butt said the council would reinstate the damaged name plaques 'and return Carpenders Park Lawn cemetery to a peaceful, quiet place of remembrance as quickly as possible, once the Police have finished their investigation.' A Hertfordshire Police spokesman said that officers were on the site to continue their investigations. Chief Superintendent Jon Simpson, from the Local Policing Command, said: 'This is an abhorrent incident and one that will understandably spark an emotive reaction in the community. 'We are continuing to work closely with our local community leaders and our partners at Brent Council, which owns the site, to identify those families who have been affected but we appreciate that this will take some time. 'At this stage, we are keeping an open mind as to the nature of this incident and in the coming days we will continue to engage with our Muslim communities to provide support and reassurance. 'We're also working with specialist officers in the constabulary to ensure we remain sensitive and respectful to the needs of the communities involved.'
BBC News
14-04-2025
- BBC News
Children's plaques vandalised at Muslim graveyard in Watford
Police are investigating criminal damage after 85 graves were vandalised in the Muslim section of a Police said a large number of the damaged graves were believed to be "the resting place of babies and young children" at Carpenders Park Lawn Cemetery, Funeralcare said it was "heartbroken by the recent desecration" and that "some graves were subjected to unspeakable acts of disrespect".Hertfordshire Police is carrying out extra patrols in the area, and has appealed for witnesses and information. Insp Will Rogers-Overy said: "Senior officers are working closely with local community leaders to identify those family members who will be most affected."In the coming days we will engage further with the Muslim community who will have been particularly impacted by this horrendous crime." The cemetery is in Watford but is owned by Brent leader, Muhammed Butt, said: "Our thoughts are with the families of those whose graves were desecrated. I cannot imagine how they must be feeling at this moment."It looks as though Muslim graves have been targeted in what appears to be an Islamophobic hate crime."We will reinstate the damaged name plaques and return Carpenders Park Lawn Cemetery to a peaceful, quiet place of remembrance as quickly as possible, once the police have finished their investigation." Abbas Merali, a Conservative councillor at Three Rivers District Council, said it was "a barbaric act"."These abhorrent actions have caused immense anguish to grieving families and profound hurt across our community," he said. Wadi Funeralcare said it was alerted to the "distressing discovery" by a bereaved family who had recently buried a loved one at the site."Their pain and anguish were deeply felt by all of us," the funeral care service said. A spokesperson added: "We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the many individuals and organisations who responded swiftly and stood in solidarity with the affected families and our wider community."This incident has deeply shaken our community, but the swift response and shared outrage remind us of the strength we have when we stand together." Follow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
