Hackney Mayor Zoë Garbett has apologised after inviting the Israeli city of Haifa to respond to proposals to end its twinning agreement with the London borough by 7th October – the anniversary of the Hamas attacks on southern Israel.
In a letter sent to Haifa Mayor Yona Yahav on 29th July, Garbett confirmed that Hackney Council had agreed, in principle, to begin the process of ending the twinning arrangement between the two cities, which has existed since 1968.
As part of the consultation, Garbett invited Haifa's administration to submit its views by 7th October 2026.
The date drew criticism because it coincides with the fourth anniversary of the Hamas attacks on southern Israel, in which around 1,200 people were killed and hundreds more were taken hostage.
Less than 24 hours later, Garbett issued a second letter acknowledging the significance of the date and apologising for what she described as a "deeply regretful oversight".
She wrote:
"I am aware that the 7th October marks the anniversary of the horrific Hamas terrorist attacks, a day that carries profound grief and distress for many."
Explaining how the error occurred, Garbett said council officers had extended the consultation period to ten weeks to avoid it ending during the Jewish holidays in September, but failed to recognise the significance of the 7th October anniversary when calculating the timetable.
Accepting responsibility, she wrote:
"As Mayor, I take full responsibility for the correspondence issued under my name. Overlooking the significance of this date was insensitive and a serious mistake, and for this, I offer my sincere apologies."
The consultation deadline has now been extended to 14th October 2026.
In her original letter, Garbett said her administration wished to end Hackney's civic partnership with Haifa, arguing that it no longer reflected the council's priorities. The proposal will now continue through Hackney Council's consultation process before councillors take a final decision later this civic year.
The apology brings to a close the controversy surrounding the original correspondence, while the proposed ending of the twinning agreement remains subject to consultation and a future vote by Hackney Council.
