Proposal to couple Boulder with Nablus as sister cities draws fire
This is the second time the pairing has been proposed.
By HANNAH BROADUpdated: APRIL 20, 2016 17:58Hilltop view of the Palestinian refugee camp Balata on the edge of the West Bank city of Nablus(photo credit: REUTERS)
A proposition to couple Boulder, Colorado with the West Bank city of Nablus as part of the Sister-City Project caused public upheaval this week, the Daily Mail Online reported.This is the second time the pairing has been proposed. In 2013 the suggestion was shot down due to concern over human rights violations under the auspices of the Palestinian Authority.Once again the proposal has drawn ire from the Boulder constituency, with those in favor claiming it is an effort to address the demonization of Palestinians in the American media, while those opposed assert it encourages anti-Semitic rhetoric and favors one side.The spokesperson for the Boulder-Nablus project, Essrea Cherin, has insisted that the proposal is not endorsing one side of the conflict but rather striving towards international cooperation.After receiving 200 emails on the polarizing issue, the Boulder city council has decided to hire a mediator to moderate a community panel.