Councils green light twinning of Borehamwood and Elstree with Israeli town

A formal signing ceremony between Borehamwood and Elstree and Shoham in Israel is due to be held within weeks after the move was ratified by the two authorities.

The first such move involving a British town for several years is expected to bring cultural, economic and social benefits to both towns.

The twinning was 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. The latter was in Israel this week and attended Succot celebrations in Shoham.

The pair, who have both travelled to the region to further the ties, said: “This is an incredibly exciting development for Borehamwood and Shoham. It is a natural partnership that will bring economic growth and other tangible benefits to both towns, particularly in the fields of education, sports and culture. It is also a partnership that will deepen the strong bilateral ties between the UK and Israel.”

Cllr Simon Rubner added: “As a long-term advocate of twinning with an Israeli town, I am very pleased to have been able to introduce Shoham to Elstree and Borehamwood and am grateful to colleagues from both political parties who are working as a team with Shoham Municipality to bring this project to fruition.”

Shoham Mayor Eitan Petigro and head of the municipality’s international affairs committee Peleg Reshef said: “Elstree and Borehamwood are wonderful places which in many ways are similar to Shoham. I have no doubt that kids, youth and grown-up alike from both communities will be able to enjoy the fruits of this twinning agreement”.

The first meeting of an advisory group made up of representatives of local businesses, sports and cultural groups as well as the Borehamwood and Elstree Twin Town association and Boreham Wood Football Club met last month. They plan to encourage sporting links between clubs in the two towns.

Barnet has been twinned with Ramat Gan for more than two decades, with reciprocal visits taking place between leaders of the two.