Local MP Seema Malhotra mentioned the Hounslow-Ramallah Twinning Association in her contribution to a Parliamentary debate in the House of Commons on Monday 13th October 2014.

The MP for Feltham and Heston (one of the London Borough of Hounslow’s two constituencies) was speaking in support of the motion “That this House believes that the Government should recognise the state of Palestine alongside the state of Israel, as a contribution to securing a negotiated two state solution.”. Seema Malhotra said – Continue reading “HRTA Mentioned in Parliament” →

Committee Room 1 at Hounslow’s Civic Centre played host to a 40-strong gathering on Friday 10th October – all coming together for the Hounslow-Ramallah Twinning Association’s Annual General Meeting, which this year combined formal business with fascinating talks and entertainment.

Amongst members old and new, those present included Mayor of Hounslow Councillor Corinna Smart (who is also HRTA’s joint Honorary President), senior Councillors Ruth Cadbury and Bob Whatley (both members), representatives of Hanwell Friends of Sabastiya (joint members), and visitors from as far afield as Germany. HRTA supporter and local MP Seema Malhotra, unable to attend due to parliamentary commitments, sent her good wishes. Continue reading “Star Appearances at HRTA’s 2014 AGM” →

In August Councillor Corinna Smart, Mayor of the London Borough of Hounslow and Honorary President of the Hounslow-Ramallah Twinning Association, wrote a letter to her counterpart Mr Mousa Hadid, Mayor of Ramallah, expressing sincere concern, sympathy and solidarity with the people of Palestine in the light of tragic ongoing events in Gaza.

Similar tragic events back in 2009, when the Hounslow-Ramallah twinning link was inactive, had passed without official comment from the Council and spurred a resident-led revival of the relationship.

Extracts from the Mayor of Hounslow’s letter are printed below. Continue reading “Mayor of Hounslow writes to Mayor of Ramallah” →

From an opinion editorial written in 2013 by Sir Vincent Fean, as British Consul-General to Jerusalem (de facto Ambassador to Palestine), mentioning the twinning between Ramallah and Hounslow –

“The present day challenges facing the Palestinian people evoke great solidarity and sympathy among citizens in Britain – in Parliament, in our churches, mosques, Trades Unions, charities… and universities.

I would like to see more bilateral exchanges in key sectors such as health, justice and upholding the rule of law – where there is so much work still to do – and to see more friendship associations between parts of the United Kingdom and Palestinian cities, towns and villages, like the friendship between Nablus and Dundee, or between Ramallah and Hounslow.”

Coaches representing Brentford Football Club are currently on an exciting work placement.

Josh Hinckson, who works in the Club’s Academy, and Ryan Peters, who played for The Bees between 2004 and 2008 and now works for Brentford FC Community Sports Trust, are in the middle of a nine-day placement in Palestine.

The pair will be sharing their expertise and learning a different way of life during the visit, which began last Friday, May 9, and ends on Saturday, May 17.

The London Borough of Hounslow has been officially twinned with Ramallah al-Bireh in the Palestinian West Bank for over 25 years, an important city and home to the headquarters of the Palestine Football Association. Continue reading “Bees in Palestine” →

Hounslow-Ramallah Twinning Association members were pleased to attend the AGM and Conference of the Britain-Palestine Twinning Network on Saturday 23rd November 2013.

This year’s event took place in Northampton, being hosted by the Northampton al-Bireh (Palestine) Friendship Association (NaBPFA).

It’s often forgotten that the London Borough of Hounslow’s official 1988 twinning is not just with Ramallah, but with Ramallah and al-Bireh – both parts making up the twin city we usually refer to as simply Ramallah. So it was particularly pleasing to meet five representatives of al-Bireh Municipality at the conference and to discuss how we might develop links with their side of town. Continue reading “Britain-Palestine Twinning Network Conference” →

A capacity crowd packed into the Docking Station in Brentford High Street on Saturday 12th October 2013 for the kick-off of Hounslow-Ramallah Twinning Association’s football project.

Those lending support included long-term HRTA fans Councillor Ruth Cadbury and former Councillor Nisar Malik; local League 1 team Brentford FC’s Chief Executive Officer Mark Devlin; Philosophy Football’s Hugh Tisdale; members of the Hayes Bhoys Celtic Supporters Club; and several members of Hanwell Friends of Sabastiya.

The compere for the evening, Andree Ryan, spoke about the aims and benefits of twinning between Britain and Palestine. Andree handed over to Aun Qurashi who explained the history of the unique Hounslow-Ramallah relationship, the Twinning Association’s objectives, its recent and current projects, and the purpose of ‘Football and Falafel’. Continue reading “Football and Falafel” →