*Ø* Blogmanac | Preston to Twin with Nablus

Creative Solutions -- Peaceful Conflict Resolution

PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE USE

RESPECT April 5


Respect councillor 'ecstatic' at Labour conversion

Preston's Respect councillor Michael Lavalette claimed he was 'ecstatic' at the news that Labour councillors in the town were discussing a motion to twin Preston with Nablus.

Cllr Lavalette led the twining proposal in October 2003 and at the time 13 Labour group members voted for the proposal. But now the Labour group will discuss a very similar proposal at their group meeting this Tuesday (6 April). If the group agrees they will present the proposal to council on 29 April.

Cllr Lavalette said: "This is great news. We are very pleased that the Labour group are debating whether to take a twinning motion to council. The motion is very similar to the one we debated before -- but with Labour group support it should go through. It will be a great victory for the twinning campaign if that happens.

I'm a bit disappointed that the Labour group have not talked to anyone in the twinning campaign -- and that they did not come to our cultural evening and educational display that was held in Noor Hall last Wednesday. But all converts to the Palestinian cause are welcome.

I'm sure some will say that Labour are worried about the local elections and their failure to fully support twinning before. But I think its great that they are coming on-board our campaign."

Mukhtar Master from Preston Stop the War and a leading campaigner for twinning said:

"We understand that John Collins, Labour group leader will propose the motion. At the end of last year he said this was mere 'gesture politics' but we are glad we have convinced him otherwise."


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For newsdesk:

1. the origin twinning motion
2. The Labour group proposal
3. contact details


1. The original twinning proposal:

"We call on the council to undertake immediate steps to twin Preston with the city of Nablus on the Palestinian west bank"

2. The proposed motion from Labour:

' This council recognises the plight of the Palestinian people after over 35
years of illegal occupation by Israeli forces despite UN resolution and
international law. This council pledges itself:

1) To twin with Nablus without recourse to funding from Preston City Council
Tax payers.

2) To seek to use its powers to work with people of all faiths and to set up a
charity that will fund twinning with Nablus and provide humanitarian relief for
people of all faiths in Nablus, whether Christian, Muslem or Jew.

3) To look at how Preston City Council can use facilities that educate
Prestonians about the plight of people in the Occupied territories.

3. Contact details:

Cllr Michael Lavalette 07739729214

Sufia Makkan (Twinning campaign press officer) 07967094191

Mukhtar Master (Chair Preston Stop the War) 07956100786


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