The Hackney - Beit Surik Friendship Forum

The London Borough of Hackney, London.

Officially twinned with Haifa, Israel.

(twinned at grassroots level with the Palestinian village of Beit Surik)

Hackney (www.hackney.gov.uk) is situated in North East London about 5 kilometres from the centre.

Comprising just over 19 square kilometres, with a population of over 200,000, it is a very mixed part of London. Some areas are very poor, whilst some districts have some of the most lovely houses in London. Home to refugees and non - conformists for centuries it is very mixed in every way. In Stamford Hill for example, the third largest population of Hassidic Jews, refugees from programs in Poland centuries, live. Quakers have lived in Hackney for generations, and the Abney Park Cemetery in Stoke Newington has the graves of many distinguished members of the Salvation Army. Add in the large refugee and Moslem population and it can truly be said that Hackney represents London, if not the world.

Hackney Palestine Solidarity Campaign was formed in 2004 to campaign for the rights of the Palestinian people and to highlight the effects of Israeli laws and actions on them. We meet monthly, hold regular stalls publicising our campaign as well as boycott Israeli goods campaigns, and occasionally hold public meetings. We also help out on London wide and national campaigns.

The Hackney - Beit Surik Friendship Forum is a separate campaign, as it will be aiming to achieve charitable status.

More useful information; www.wikipedia.org

From Space. Source; www.google.com

Hackney is officially twinned with Haifa in Israel.

Haifa has a sizeable Arab population. This is a recent article from Ynet.com, an Israeli media company.

Haifa mayor: I agree to refugees' return

In interview to Israeli-Arab newspaper, town's Head Yahav says he does not object to Palestinians going back to Haifa in framework of peace deal between Israel and PA

By Roee Nahmias

Haifa Mayor Yona Yahav said he does not object to the return of Palestinian refugees to the northern town in the framework of a peace settlement between Israel and the Palestinian Authority.

In an interview to Israeli-Arab newspaper Kul al-Arab, Yahav was asked whether he accepts, "theoretically and in principle," the return to the town of tens of thousands of Palestinians that emigrated from Haifa in 1948.

"Basically," Yahav replied, "I don't see any reason why some of the Palestinian residents should not go back to Haifa in the framework of deal that would be accepted and signed by the Israeli government, and that would put an end to the conflict with the Palestinian people."

Yahav added that he sympathized with the Palestinian exiles' pain. "I'll tell you frankly that I feel deeply for the refugees and their suffering and hope that their problem is solved, as my father has also tasted the bitter taste of loss and exile after he fled Germany," he explained.

'Blood spilled in vain'

During the interview, the mayor was also asked how he believes the conflict between the two people can be resolved, and answered: "Woe to us if we don’t make peace. We have no other option but to talk, engage in dialogue and find pragmatic solutions. There is no justification for this continued bloodshed, as the blood is spilled in vain."

When asked whether he was not concerned about a growth in the rate of Arabs in the city's population, Yahav said this did not worry him at all. "Arabs currently make up about 13 percent of the town's population. I would be happy to see many educated Arabs come here."

The Haifa Municipality spokesman, Tzhai Terno, commented on Yahav's statements: "The reporter asked if Yahav would agree to a return of the refugees in the framework of a deal between the Israeli government and the Palestinians, and he said he would accept any agreement signed by Israel."

PHOTO CAPTION: Yahav. Feels for Palestinians Photo: Elad Gershgorn

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3250019,00.html