The Richmond City Council on Tuesday is scheduled to consider a resolution proposing a sister city relationship with Sebastia, an ancient village in the West Bank of Palestine.
Mayor Eduardo Martinez, along with Councilmembers Claudia Jimenez and Soheila Bana, co-sponsored the resolution, which singles out the U.S. for not recognizing the State of Palestine.
“By establishing a sister city relationship with Sebastia, Richmond would demonstrate local leadership in diplomacy, solidarity, and cultural exchange at a time when such connections are needed globally,” the councilmembers who co-sponsored the resolution state in city documents.
Community organizations such as the Richmond Progressive Alliance and the Bay Area Palestinian Youth Movement are mobilizing in support, according to Bay City News, a longtime newswire covering the local region. A Change.org petition in support of the sister city relationship had garnered over 350 signatures as of this evening.
Richmond’s involvement with Sister Cities International dates back to 1961, when the City Council approved its first partnership with Shimada, Japan. This was followed by relationships with Zhoushan, China, established in 1993, and Regla, Cuba, in 1999. These connections aim to support cultural, educational, and economic exchanges, enriching both Richmond and its partner communities.
