‘We didn’t let them down’ - Palestinian signs to be erected in Waterford amid ceasefire

Town twinning signs for the Palestinian city of Ramallah are set to be erected in Waterford city, a council meeting has heard.

Sinn Féin councillor Jim Griffin addressed the subject at the October plenary meeting of Waterford City and County Council.

Cllr Griffin described recent developments in the Middle East as “all good news” that should be welcomed.

However, he said “it would be nice” to see the long-awaited town twinning signs for Rammalah erected.

In response, Director of Services Michael Quinn apologised for the delay in the erection of the signs.

He said that the design of the signs has been completed and that the council is consulting with its road department with regards their location.

Having already lined up a contractor, Mr Quinn insisted that the only decision left to make is with regards to the location of the signs.

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Meanwhile, councillor John Hearne echoed the sentiments of his party colleague, saying: “I commend all the people who supported all the motions in the past over Gaza.”

Cllr Hearne said that having met with representatives from Ramallah during the town-twinning process, councillors could hold their “heads up high”. “We didn’t let them down”, he added.

In November 2024, the then Mayor of Waterford City and County, Cllr. Jason Murphy, welcomed the Palestinian Ambassador to Ireland, Dr. Jilan Wahba Abdalmajid, for the official signing of the Waterford-Ramallah Twinning Agreement.

In a statement at the time, a spokesperson for Waterford Council said the twinning of Waterford and Ramallah would “explore opportunities for both cities to share respective knowledge and experiences of arts and culture, commerce and industry, education, sports and civic development”.