A Hebron Municipality delegation chaired by Mayor Dr. Daoud Zatari met with French municipal representatives and Heads of French institutions. Dr. Zatari was accompanied by Palestinian Minister of Culture Dr. Anwar Abu Eisheh, Municipal Council members, the Municipality’s General manager as well asits General Manager of International cooperation.The French delegation was chaired by Sebastien Borteau Bonneterre ,President of the International Institute of Human Rights and comprised Pascal Blanchetier , Deputy Mayor of CAEN and Laurent Beauvais , President of the bass- Normandie Region.
At the beginning of the meeting, Dr. Zatari welcomed the delegation and stressed the importance of cooperation with France’s government and people. He stressed his interest in promoting partnerships between Hebron Municipality and French municipalities given the closeties between both countries, adding that Hebron Municipality has and shall continue to have projects in collaboration with Belfort and Arcuiel Municipalities.
Hebron Mayor underlined the need to support the Old City’s nomination for inion on UNICCO's World Heritage List. “We are certain that you will support this request just as you have supported our other bids in the past. France has voted in favor of Palestine’s non-member observer bid at the UN. We hope that France will exert pressure on the EU and all relevant parties to ensure their support for the Palestinian cause”.
Dr. Zatari also gave a detailed presentation on Hebron, its geography and history, the Old City and the suffering of inhabitants due to occupation measures and practices under the pretext of protecting settlers.
The head of the French delegation thanked Dr. Zatari for the warm reception and hospitality. He said that he is proud of this visit to Hebron and of his meeting with the Minister of Culture.He also touched on examples of French support to the Palestinian people, the peace process, and the positive stances of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He underlined the need for a fair and just peace and the creation of a fully sovereignPalestinian State with Jerusalem as its capital.
The deputy Mayor expressed his willingness to build cooperation and enhancetieswith Hebron Municipality through the exchange of experiences, cooperation in the fields of human and economic development as well as in other fields that serve the public interest. He expressed his happiness at this visit to Palestine in general and to Hebron’s Old City in particular as well as his sorrow at the suffering and violationscaused by the occupation.
Mr. AllamAshhab, General manager of International Cooperation, then made a presentation on Hebron, its civilization, heritage, industries and businesses. He touched on the city’s different sectors and showed the economic weight of Hebron in the West bank. He alsoscreened a film about Hebron’s landmarks.