Content

10.1

The Executive Director City Futures submitted a
report providing a summary of activities and events, linked to the
Friendship with Nablus that have taken place over the last 12
months, and provides recommendations related to the continuation of
this relationship.
 
On 29 October 2024, Sheffield City Council
entered into a Friendship Agreement Nablus Municipality, a city
situated on the West Bank in
Palestine.
The terms of the Friendship Agreement were such
that the relationship would be reviewed at the 12-month anniversary
of the signing, in order to determine
appropriate next steps and the basis for future engagement between
the two cities.

 

 

10.2

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That Strategy and
Resources Policy Committee:-

 

 

 

(a) acknowledges
the 12-month anniversary of the Friendship Agreement with Nablus,
and the relationship that has been established with contacts from
Nablus Municipality;
 
(b) agrees that
given the assessment criteria and principles contained within
Sheffield City Council’s Partner City Policy agreed in
November 2023, that a Friendship Agreement continues to be the most
appropriate form of partnership arrangement between Sheffield and
Nablus;
 
(c) agrees to
renew the existing Friendship Agreement for a further 2-year period
to October 2027, given the challenges faced within the West Bank
have likely impacted on the ability for the two cities to
collaborate; and
 
(d) acknowledges
the strength of solidarity towards Palestine expressed in some
parts of the Sheffield community and consequently the links that
have been established with Nablus through community organisations
including the Sheffield Nablus Twinning Association and
Palfest Sheffield.

 

 

10.3

Reasons for Decision

 

 

10.3.1

Continuing to
maintain a Friendship Agreement with Nablus feels an appropriate
course of action to take.

 

 

10.3.2

The cities have been linked for an initial 12-month period, and
there has been some Council to Council
dialogue in that time.  Neither party
has stated that they feel there is no merit in continuing the
relationship.

 

 

10.3.3

Sheffield City Council is supportive of the community links that
have been established between groups in Sheffield and
Nablus.  Agreeing to maintain a
Friendship Agreement between the two cities, presents the
opportunity to raise awareness of these activities within the
public domain.

 

 

10.3.4

Continuing to befriend the city of Nablus is seen as a positive,
meaningful thing to do in respect of Palestine, whilst
acknowledging the criteria for city-to-city relationships as
outlined in the Partner City Policy.

 

 

10.4

Alternatives Considered and
Rejected

 

 

10.4.1

Alternative Option 1: Do not renew the Friendship Agreement with
Nablus.
 
The alternative option would be not to renew the Friendship
Agreement with Nablus, upon the 12-month
anniversary.
 
Given the existing links with Nablus established through
Sheffield community groups and the frequent public representations
to the Council in respect of ensuring the situation in Gaza and the
West Bank remains prominent in people’s minds, it is felt
that this would not be desirable.
 
It is therefore recommended that the Friendship Agreement is
renewed.

 

 

10.4.2

Alternative Option 2: Consider an alternative partnership
arrangement between Sheffield and Nablus, and expanding the
relationship by entering into an agreement at a higher level as set
out in the hierarchy of relationships in the Partner City
Policy. 
In applying the criteria in the Partner City Policy (as required
under the Policy for a review), for the reasons set out in
paragraphs 2.17 to 2.22, it would not be appropriate to consider
anything other than a continuation of a Friendship Agreement at the
present time.