France/The city of Marseille announces its twinning with the Palestinian town of Bethlehem

On Monday September 22, Marseille town hall announced its twinning with the West Bank town of Bethlehem. The announcement came on the same day as France's recognition of the State of Palestine.

As Emmanuel Macron prepares to announce the official recognition of the Palestinian state at the UN, Marseille town hall announced its twinning with the West Bank town of Bethlehem on Monday September 22.

This announcement is the culmination of a long process. Last June, Mayor Benoît Payan announced that he was "in advanced discussions with two municipalities" in Palestine.

"A new axis of international cooperation

"After months of exchanges, this new axis of international cooperation marks the solidarity of the people of Marseilles, who bear the banner of fraternity and living together," says the city.

"This twinning is a powerful act of fraternity and solidarity, in a dramatic geopolitical context. Through it, Marseille is saying loud and clear to the Palestinian people: you are not alone."

The cooperation agreement will cover health, culture and entrepreneurship. Very classic themes," murmurs a spokesperson at City Hall.

Benoît Payan had announced a few days earlier that he would be taking "a strong action" on Monday, which would not be the flying of a Palestinian flag. In the Bouches-du-Rhône region, some communes will not be following this directive, such as Martigues and Port-de-Bouc (PCF towns), where the flag will be raised during ceremonies in the early evening.

Source: www.bfmtv.com/