Beit Sahour Municipality discusses strengthening its ties with the French city of Vaulx-en-Velin
In a video meeting held over Zoom on Wednesday 23 September 2026, Beit Sahour Mayor Laith Hazim Qumsiyeh and the Mayor of the French city of Vaulx-en-Velin, Mr. Abdelkader Lahmar, discussed ways to strengthen and develop the bilateral ties the two cities have shared since 2006. The meeting was attended by Mrs. Maha Al-Atrash, director of public relations at Beit Sahour Municipality, and the public relations team of Vaulx-en-Velin.
At the start of the meeting, the Mayor of Beit Sahour congratulated the new Mayor of Vaulx-en-Velin on taking office, wishing him every success, and affirmed Beit Sahour’s pride in the long and warm relationship between the two cities and the Municipality’s commitment to developing it further and widening their cooperation.
For his part, the Mayor of Vaulx-en-Velin affirmed the depth of the ties between the two cities, expressing the affection and solidarity of the people of Vaulx-en-Velin with Beit Sahour and the Palestinian people.
In this spirit of solidarity, he briefed the Palestinian side on preparations for a solidarity event with the Palestinian people on 3 October, including naming one of Vaulx-en-Velin’s streets after Beit Sahour, raising the Palestinian flag, and events introducing Palestine and its heritage, with Palestinian food, crafts and traditional products.
The Mayor of Vaulx-en-Velin invited the Mayor of Beit Sahour and his delegation to attend the event and the accompanying solidarity activities. In response, a delegation from Beit Sahour Municipality led by the Mayor will travel to Vaulx-en-Velin to take part, reflecting the long history of friendship and solidarity between the two cities.
The Mayor of Beit Sahour welcomed the initiative, expressing his appreciation to Vaulx-en-Velin Municipality and the city’s people for their solidarity, and affirming Beit Sahour Municipality’s commitment to continuing and strengthening this long-standing relationship, deepening the friendship and cooperation between the two cities and their peoples.
