The Mayor of Barcelona, Jaume Collboni, has announced his intention to resume his trip to Palestine, which was frustrated last August due to a veto by Israel. The main objective is to present the ‘District 11, Palestinian Cities’ initiative, which seeks to reinforce cooperation and solidarity from the Catalan capital with the territories affected by the conflict in Gaza.
Collboni made the announcement during the institutional reception for the artists participating in the ‘Act X Palestine’ benefit concert, scheduled for this Thursday at the Palau Sant Jordi. He explained that he has received a renewed invitation from the mayors of Palestinian cities and intends to present the initiative in person “at least” before the summer.
“"I hope it will be possible"
Although he could not visit Bethlehem, Ramallah, and Jerusalem, he was able to travel to Jordan. It was from there that he announced the creation of District 11, a symbolic district added to the city, with its own administrative and managerial structure, supplementing the ten official districts Barcelona already has.
During his speech, Collboni “clearly and emphatically” condemned the Israeli army's attack against facilities of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) in East Jerusalem. He argued that the reconstruction of Palestine must be based on a “just peace,” supported by the recognition of the Palestinian people and the State of Palestine.
