Severing ties with Netanya is not the answer

Angie Bell MP
Shadow Minister for Early Childhood Education
Shadow Minister for Youth
Federal Member for Moncrieff

STATEMENT

Severing ties with Netanya is not the answer

19 August 2024

The Gold Coast’s sister city relationships and international partnerships are a source of economic growth and provide cultural, educational, and professional opportunities, and boost our international profile.

These relationships assist to open our door to the world and create real outcomes for Gold Coast residents and businesses. We are a community that has been a safe and respectful place for all who come here, from all faiths and backgrounds.

Sadly, the conflict in the Middle East has increased tensions within our local community, with a small group of extreme protestors demanding the Gold Coast sever sister city ties with Israeli city, Netanya – a relationship that has been in place since 1987.

The Gold Coast is home to strong Israeli and Islamic communities. This call creates division which will negatively impact the Gold Coast’s reputation as a welcoming, multicultural city where we should instead be building cohesion.

I urge the City of Gold Coast to retain this relationship and instead continue to promote community strength and harmony and to consider the impact on our community should these ties be severed.

-ENDS-