Portsmouth moves toward friendship Birzeit, Palestine
Portsmouth councillors will next week consider whether the city should begin building a formal friendship link with the Palestinian town of Birzeit.
A report going to Portsmouth City Council on November 25 recommends that officers are authorised to start a relationship with the West Bank town “with a view to this becoming a formal Friendship agreement.”
The proposal follows a full council motion passed in December 2023 calling for a practical expression of solidarity with Palestinians and a commitment to a lasting peace and two-state solution.
Since that motion, officers have been exploring suitable locations for a potential link. Initial options such as Jericho and Ramallah were discounted due to concerns around geographical sensitivity and existing UK partnerships.
Advice was then sought from the Britain Palestine Friendship and Twinning Network, which suggested Birzeit as an area “keen to make further international links”.
Birzeit, located around 10km north of Ramallah, is one of the largest towns in the Ramallah-Al Bireh governorate with a population of about 7,800. The name comes from the Arabic for “oil well,” reflecting historic oil production in the area.
The town contains several heritage sites including the so-called “Crusader Fortress” and “Al-Khan”, alongside more than 100 historic buildings such as Sahat al-Hoash (“Al-Hoash Yard”) and the local “babour”.
Council officers have already been in contact with Father Fadi Diab of St Peter’s Anglican Church, who they say has been welcoming of the initial approach.
The report also highlights the presence of Birzeit University, ranked among the top three in the region, which already partners with several UK institutions. Portsmouth’s own university has signalled interest in joining any future discussions.
The officer’s report notes that if approved, the link would “demonstrate balance” with Portsmouth’s long-standing relationship with Haifa in Israel, established in 1963.
“Working with Portsmouth residents to form a friendship group would enable local people to become involved and learn more about Palestine across many aspects including their culture and heritage.”
The report will be discussed next week during the council’s cabinet meeting on November 25.