Communal leaders slam ‘more than disappointing’ meeting with Brent leader over Nablus twinning

Jewish communal leaders have described a meeting with Brent Council leader Muhammed Butt to discuss the proposed Nablus twinning arrangement  as “more than disappointing” after hearing the Labour-run authority planned to carry on with the controversial move.

A delegation, led by the Board of Deputies of British Jews, and including representatives of six of the Board’s member synagogues in Brent -Brondesbury Park, Kenton, Kingsbury, Neveh Shalom David Ishag, Wembley Sephardi, and Wembley United – highlighted that no Jewish organisations were consulted during an Equalities Impact Assessment into the proposal, and that previous warnings about the proposal’s potentially divisive impact had been dismissed.

Jewish News had been first to reveal Brent Labour’s decision to plough ahead with a plan to twin the borough with the West Bank city of Nablus, ignoring some councillors calls for the partnership to include an Israeli location as well.

The twinning proposal has been led by Labour Group chair Ihtesham Afzal, who is linked to the Brent and Harrow Palestine Solidarity Campaign.

Afzal is also listed as a director of the Brent Nablus Twinning Association now put in charge of the project, which it says will be independently funded.

During Wednesday evening’s meeting the communal group, which also  included the London Jewish Forum, the United Synagogue, and the S&P Sephardi Community, pointed to a recent petition of opposition which had garnered over 2,300 signatures, significantly more than a previous petition which had called for the twinning.

They noted that opposition to the move was evident within many Brent communities and not only Brent’s Jewish residents, reflecting widely held concerns about sectarianism in the council. Brent Council votes to proceed with Nablus twinning despite warnings about Hamas control

There are widespread fears that this could lead to further attempts to bring divisive international issues into local politics in ways that will undermine Brent Council’s stated commitment to community cohesion.

Delegates also questioned the choice of Nablus, citing concerns over the public display of images of armed militants in the town centre and warning that it may be unsafe for openly Jewish or LGBT+ residents of Brent to visit.

Following the meeting, President of the Board of Deputies of British Jews Phil Rosenberg said: ‘Brent Council’s long record of active support for community cohesion is now very much in question.

“The proposed twinning will do nothing for peace in the region but risks the good relations of diverse communities in Brent. We want to see our council focused on addressing our significant shared local challenges without embarking on misplaced initiatives relating to international affairs. We urge the council to step back from sectarianism.’

Amanda Bowman, Co-Chair of London Jewish Forum said: ‘The meeting was more than disappointing.

“While Brent Council has asked the Brent-Nablus Association to continue consulting, it has chosen not to pause implementation or reconsider its position.

“That is not meaningful engagement—it’s a box-ticking exercise. Jewish residents deserve better than symbolic gestures that ignore their concerns. We remain open to dialogue, but real trust is built through action, not afterthought.”

Jewish News understand regional Labour Party chiefs are watching the developments in regards to the twinning project closely, with widespread concerns raised to them about the conduct of some councillors. Labour to vet every candidate for Brent local election as anger grows over Nablus twinning

A new panel has been appointed to vet all Labour members wishing to stand as candidates at next year’s local elections. Sitting councillors who also wish to stand must also sit before a panel.

Jewish News understands Wembley Councillor Afzal has yet to confirm his intention to stand again.