A Sussex seaside resort could be twinned with a Palestinian community in Gaza.
Councillors in Hastings have said they support a move to twin the East Sussex town with the war-ridden community of Al-Mawasi in Gaza.
Refugees fleeing intense fighting in Khan Younis are trapped in Al-Mawasi.
Thousands are reported to be crammed into the tiny coastal town to the south of the Gaza strip.
Julia Hilton, who became the leader of Hastings Borough Council this month, gave her support to the move at a meeting last Wednesday.
Councillors in Hastings, East Sussex have given their support for a move to twin the town with the community of Al-Mawasi in Gaza
Pictured: An aerial view of tents set up for displaced Palestinians in Al-Mawasi
Asked by a fellow councillor about the ‘strong local connection’ between Hastings and Al-Mawasi’ and what the council intended to do to show ‘solidarity and support’, The Green Party politician replied that twinning was an ‘excellent idea’ but admitted she hadn’t been briefed on the process.
She said: ‘I think, in principle, it sounds an excellent idea.
‘We’ve had twinning with all sorts of places all over the world and I understand there is a strong connection already with the group.
‘It seems to me like a very good idea but I don’t understand the processes yet.’
The newly elected Hastings council leader Julia Hilton said the twinning move was an ‘excellent idea’
Ms Hilton was elected less than two weeks ago to lead a power-sharing agreement at the troubled council, after six Labour councillors resigned from the previous administration, which led the local authority to the brink of bankruptcy.
An online petition has been collecting support for the twinning arrangement among locals in the East Sussex town.
More than 500 people have signed it so far.
The online petition, which was originally started in December 2021, describes Al-Mawasi as a remote, costal, fishing and farming community which has shown immense resilience during many years of hardship under occupation and blockades.