Gaza City and Moyle District Council, to sign the Twinning Agreement today.

By SaebPress - Mon Apr 02, 12:46 am

: Father Jorge Hernandez of Holy Family Church Gaza with Councillor Mc Shane and officers of the Municipality of Gaza

Gaza (SaebPress) — Cllr. McShane, Chairman of Moyle District Council arrived to Gaza on Wednesday and was met at the border by a delegation from the Municipality of Gaza headed by Mr. Mohammed Al-Halabi.

Mayor of Gaza Mr. Rafiq Mekki and Padraig Mc Shane the Independent Chairman of Moyle District Council in the North of Ireland, who is currently visiting Gaza are preparing to sign a Twinning Agreement later today (Monday 5.30pm local time) between the Moyle District Council and the Mediterranean Costal enclave of Gaza city.

The Twinning is the first of its kind in Britain or Ireland and the first Twinning Agreement anywhere in the world since the illegal ‘Israeli’ siege on Gaza began.

Since arriving to Gaza City, Councillor Mc Shane was assisted by Palestine Aid’s Joe Gilmartin and Dr Hadeel Abu Mariam in touring the city and experiencing the daily lives of ordinary Palestinian civilians in Gaza.

They visited some of Gaza’s schools and libraries as well as to the Prosthetics and Polio centre which is run by the Gaza Municipality.

The delegation visited the centre of Culture for Gaza “Learning about the desire to create employment through traditional arts and crafts came, I was impressed with the centre efforts for jobs creation.” Councillor Mc Shane said.

: Hadeel Abu Mariam, Padraig Mc Shaneand and Joe Gilmartin visiting Alawda’s James connolly theatre

With the help of Palestine Aid’s Joe Gilmartin and Dr Hadeel Abu Mariam “we set to discuss ideas on how to best support the life chances of some of those living in Gaza with a particular focus on mental health”. Councillor Mc Shane stated.

The Councillor has also visited Gaza’s Holy family Church, he spent some time talking and listening to members of the Christian community in the city, they enjoying an audience with Fr. Jorge Hernandez, Bishop of Gaza.

The delegation toured the Commonwealth Graveyard in Gaza which contains the remains of some 3,600 allied soldiers who died in the First World War. He also took time out to speak with members of the Christian community in the city visiting the Holy Cross Church and enjoying an audience with Fr. Jorge Hernandez, Bishop of Gaza.

The Mayor of Gaza, Mr Rafiq Mekki, has described to SaebPress the people of Moyle as “Truly the messengers of Peace”.

: Chairman of Moyle District Council McShane in discussion with Mayor of Gaza, Rafiq Mekki

Moyle District Council is a Local Council in County Antrim in the north-east corner of the North of Ireland. It covers a largely rural area of approximately 190 square miles, with 42 miles of coastline. The area is very populardestination with tourists; it receives around a million and a half visitors a year.

Moyle District includes the three best known features of the North of Ireland: the World Heritage Site, Giant’s Causeway, the Glens of Antrim and Rathlin Island.

Council headquarters are in Ballycastle. Other towns in the area include Bushmills the home to the world’s oldest licensed distillery which has produced the famous Irish whiskey “Bushmills” since 1608, Armoy, Ballintoy, Cushendall, Cushendun and Waterfoot.

Exclusive to SaebPress

Photographs by: Joe Gilmartin and Mc Auley Photography