Palestine is a country of untold beauty and ancient cultural heritage, the connection of its people to the land stretching back millennia. The last 100 years of its history has been of cruelty and brutality against its people by the British and the state of Israel (1). Since 2023, its people have been the victim of systematic murder and its cities have been targeted for annihilation by Israel. According to every major international NGO and the UN, this is a genocide whose intent is to wipe this people and its cultural heritage from its land (2).

Greystones has the unique opportunity to contribute to preserving and safekeeping the legacy of this people by twinning with Deir al-Balah. In line with Ireland's recognition of Palestine as a country in 2024 (3), we want to go a step further as a community, to welcome the richness of this community, and do our part in promoting our commitment to the respect of human rights and dignity everywhere.

Twinning builds connections between places and communities, fostering understanding and cultural exchange. The initiative started throughout Europe after WWII, connecting people and promoting solidarity through shared educational and cultural programmes. Greystones is already part of this tradition: we have been twinned with Holyhead in Wales since 2012. We can now join Tralee (4), Dublin (5), Waterford (6) and Derry (7), all of whom have partnered with Palestinian cities in the very recent past.

Deir al-Balah, the Monastery of the Date Palm. Deir al-Balah is a coastal city at the heart of the Gaza Strip, known for its fishing heritage and the date palms from which it gets its name. Abdallah, a local from the city, shared with us that, despite 10-20% of its homes and facilities having been leveled by airstrikes, it is among the least destroyed areas of the strip. They now shelter over 300 000 people, most of whom live in tents. He said: "Deir al-Balah is considered a glimmer of hope, as it still maintains a semblance of life as it was before October 7th. Its streets are still paved with asphalt, and there is infrastructure that functions, at least partially. Schools, shops, and some mosques remain standing. ​Deir al-Balah, along with other parts of the Middle Area, is seen as the nucleus for the reconstruction of Gaza and the potential return to a normal life."

Why should Deir al-Balah be Greystones's sister town?

1. We share a bond with the sea. Greystones thrives as a coastal town with a busy harbour and a strong maritime tradition. Deir al-Balah’s fishing industry has faced immense challenges, but it remains central to the city’s identity. Twinning would allow us to share experiences, support sustainable fishing, and celebrate our coastal heritage together.

2. We value community and resilience. Deir al-Balah has faced incredible hardship, yet its people have shown remarkable strength. Local initiatives like charity kitchens and land reclamation projects support families in need. Greystones is known for its vibrant community spirit, with volunteers working together to make our town welcoming and inclusive. Twinning would allow us to learn about community initiatives and contribute in solidarity.

3. We can celebrate each others' culture. Deir al-Balah is rich in traditions, from its famous dates and seafood to its crafts, music, and storytelling. Greystones is the heart of Wicklow, known for its lively arts scene, and strong community and educational initiatives. Twinning would give us the chance to host cultural exchanges, share stories, and celebrate Palestinian heritage right here in our town.

But most importantly, this is one way we can actually make a real difference. Twinning with Deir al-Balah would allow Greystones to raise awareness about the challenges faced by Palestinians and support humanitarian projects. We could focus our fundraising efforts on initiatives in our sister town, like the “Smile of Hope Camp,” which cares for families of children and people with special needs. Over the past 10 months, Greystones inhabitants have gathered in our streets in the thousands in solidarity with Palestinians. We've raised thousands of euros through fundraisers, delivering tankers of waters, school uniforms and food bundles to families in need.

Twinning with Deir al-Balah gives Greystones a powerful way to stand in solidarity with Palestinians, advocating for peace, human dignity, and the right to self determination. This is not a political fight: it's a humanitarian one. It doesn't matter what your political banner is, or if you don't have one at all: we need your support to make this happen. Our councilors span the political spectrum and they all need to be onboard to push this through.

Help us show them that we stand united as a community, that no matter our differences, we unilaterally believe that the Palestinians are a people and that they have the fundamental human right to exist on the land of their ancestors, as we fought to exist on ours.

Sign the petition. Saoirse don Phalaistín 🇵🇸