Olympia could become sister-city to Rafah on Gaza Strip
Olympia could become sister-city to Rafah on Gaza Strip
Associated Press
Last updated: Monday, April 16th, 2007 07:42:08 AM
OLYMPIA — The Olympia City Council will hold a public hearing Tuesday to consider a sister-city relationship with the Palestinian city of Rafah on the Gaza Strip.
The idea originated with Rachel Corrie, an Olympia activist who was killed in 2003 by an Israeli bulldozer.
The Olympia-Rafah Sister City Project has pursued the sister-city affiliation for four years. It would cost the city nothing. The organization would fund sister-city cultural and trade exchanges.
Opponents say choosing Rafah as a sister city amounts to taking the Palestinian side in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Corrie was The Evergreen State College student killed while standing in front of a Palestinian home to try to protect it from demolition.
