Ratification of the Gaza, Moyle Twinning Agreement.

By SaebPress - Wed Apr 04, 2:37 am

: Councillor Padraig Mc Shane and Mayor of Gaza, Rafiq Mekki. Gaza Municipality

Gaza (SaebPress) — On Monday, 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, signed in Gaza a Twinning Agreement 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.

: Councillor Padraig Mc Shane in the Mayor’s Office. Gaza Municipality. Moyle Flag alongside Gaza Municipality Flag

Moyle District Council faced fierce opposition to the proposal from some of its members, but the Moyle District Council supported the twinning, in two separate votes – 1^st one was held On Monday night, 12 of March 2012 supported the twinning , and the second one was an attempt to overthrow the first. In the 2^nd vote attempt Moyle District Council reconfirmed to proceed with the formal twinning with the Municipality of Gaza City.

Mayor of Gaza Mekki Mr. Rafiq Mekki extended an invitation to the people of Moyle to visit Gaza and particularly to those who opposed the twinning agreement, so they can see for themselves the reality of Gaza, and how mutual co-operation and friendship can benefit both people.

: Councillor Padraig Mc Shane, Chairman of Moyle & Mayor Rafiq Mekki, Gaza Municipality sign Twinning Agreement

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.

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Photographs by: Joe Gilmartin