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by Peter Lazenby THE MAYOR of a struggling Palestinian town is hoping to attend a prestigious gathering in Leeds.
The Mayors for Peace Forum on January 16, hosted by the Lord Mayor of Leeds, Coun Bryan North, will also be attended by Nobel Peace Laureate John Hume.
The day-long event will consider how local authorities can help in developing peace-making initiatives in troubled communities.
It has attracted support from civic leaders across Europe and from Japan.
Mr Hume, who is also to receive an honorary degree from Leeds Metropolitan University, will speak on his experiences in Northern Ireland.
Mustafa Abdel Nabi Natshe, Mayor of Hebron in the occupied West Bank in Palestine, will attend – if he is allowed to travel by the Israeli authorities. Israel controls movement of Palestinians and recently banned Palestinian politicians from attending a conference organised in London by 10 Downing Street.
Difficult
The ban was imposed in retaliation for the latest suicide bombings in Israel which killed 22 people and it caused a major rift between the British Government and Tel Aviv.
Leeds-Hebron Friendship Link is raising funds to pay for the Hebron Mayor's flight.
A spokeswoman for the campaign group said: "The political situation in Palestine is, as ever, very difficult and we are not certain that Mr Natshe will be able to get here, but we want to do our best to make it possible."
Unions and other groups are being asked to make donations. Cheques should be made payable to 'The Leeds-Hebron Friendship Link' and sent to 15, Potternewton Lane, Leeds LS7 3LN.
The event has the support and co-operation of the Hiroshima-led Mayors for Peace organisation, and the Mayor of Hiroshima, Tadoshi Akiba, will provide a video address to open the forum.
Other confirmed speakers at the event include Dr Shaun Gregory, head of peace studies at Bradford University, Michel Cibot, the French vice-president of Mayors for Peace, and Andre Hediger, Mayor of Geneva and chair of Peace Messenger Cities.
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Friday 25 May 2012
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