Borehamwood council explores historic twinning with Israeli town

Plans are being discussed to twin Borehamwood and Elstree with the town of Shoham in Israel, Jewish News can reveal.

The move has been proposed by Labour’s Cllr Jeremy Newmark and Conservative Mayor Cllr Sandra Parnell, who currently serve as the vice-chair and chair of the Town Council’s International Affairs Committee.

Jewish News understands that an advisory group of local community and business leaders is currently being established and that the official proposal will be tabled after the summer at both municipalities.

In a statement, Parnell and Newmark said: “We are tremendously excited about these plans which are currently being formulated before community consultation with an advisory group and a vote at Council.  If approved they will bring real economic, social and cultural benefit to both towns.  In our view this is a natural partnership.”

Borehamwood and Elstree is home to one of the fastest growing Jewish communities in the UK. If successful, this would be the first municipal twinning of towns in UK and Israeli for a number of years. Barnet has been twinned with Ramat Gan for more than two decades, with reciprocal visits taking place between leaders of the two.