Brent Council in London has decided to continue to pursue  its twinning arrangement with Nablus,  where seven out of 15 council members are aligned with Hamas.

Brent’s overwhelming Labour majority decided to twin with Nablus, a city on the west bank of the Jordan River, in May 2025.  This decision was taken without any consultation in the Brent community, including the Jewish, Christian, Jain, Sikh, Hindu and the LGBTQ communities.  This is surprising given that Brent is one of London’s most diverse boroughs.

Local residents concerned about this proposal, led by Ian Collier and Councillor Michael Maurice, approached UK Lawyers for Israel (UKLFI) for help and advice.  The local residents group believed that Brent should focus on more pressing local issues, such as schools, crime and rubbish rather than foreign conflicts and political gestures.  The residents expressed strong concern that the proposal is dividing Brent, creating disharmony in one of London’s most multi-ethnic boroughs and that there was insufficient control over the character of arrangements, what will be taking place and who is behind delivery of this project.

UKLFI has been assisting local residents to establish an anti-twinning action group.  This resident-led group has reached across all of Brent’s communities to share a petition, which now has in excess of 2312 signatories.  UKLFI has also assisted the group to make freedom of information requests to understand Brent’s decision-making process.  As a result of the petition, the Brent’s Council was required to hear a presentation from the residents regarding their concerns.

Chief Executive Officer for UKLFI, Jonathan Turner said, “We express deep concern and disappointment over Brent’s decision to twin with Nablus.  It is an entirely inappropriate partnership for Brent.  The Council’s decision has undermined community cohesion”.

 “Brent’s own equality analysis acknowledges that the twinning may cause ‘anxiety’ and ‘emotional harm’ to some residents, particularly within the borough’s 3,700-strong Jewish community.  It could also potentially compound anti-Semitism”.

 “UKLFI is troubled by the lack of transparent consultation with all community groups; the apparent breakdown in good local governance; the fact that many residents feel blindsided by this decision and that despite the loud, strong and deep local opposition, the Council has decided to press forwards with twinning.”

 “UKLFI will continue to work with local residents to urge Brent to reconsider this divisive political posturing.  If appropriate, UKLFI will take further action to force Brent to see how its actions are unlawful.  We are working with the Board of Deputies and other non-Jewish organisations to understand what is happening at a Council which seems to run without accountability and transparency nor due regard for its residents.  This is another example of British local governments prioritising antisemitic and far left ideological pursuits over the needs of local residents”.