During their visit to the Italian city of Bari, Beit Jala Mayor Mr. Issa Qassis and his accompanying delegation signed a twinning agreement with Bari Mayor Mr. Antonio Decaro. The two cities share a special bond, as Saint Nicholas is the patron saint of both Beit Jala and Bari.

The agreement aims to strengthen cultural relations, develop cooperation in social and economic fields, and launch joint initiatives to promote the cities’ historical identities through expert exchanges, seminars, and conferences. It also seeks to establish practical measures to enhance institutional cooperation and promote peaceful collaboration through meetings between civil society organizations, the development of solidarity networks, and capacity-building initiatives.

Beit Jala Municipality extends its sincere thanks and appreciation to Mr. Nicola Fatouleh, his wife, Iman Kharoufeh, and their sons, Elias and Milad, who reside in Bari, Italy. Their significant role in facilitating the twinning relationship between the two municipalities reflects their deep sense of belonging and unwavering dedication to their hometown of Beit Jala.

The signing ceremony concluded with an exchange of commemorative gifts between the two parties.