Barcelona Mayor Jaume Collboni has reiterated his commitment to visiting Palestinian cities to advance cooperation projects under the ‘District 11 – Cities of Palestine’ initiative. The announcement was made on Wednesday during a reception at the City Council for artists and collaborators involved in a concert for Palestine.
Collboni’s Persistent Efforts to Visit Palestine
Mayor Collboni expressed his intention to visit Gaza, Ramallah, and Bethlehem, cities with which Barcelona is fostering cooperation. This marks a renewed effort after a similar attempt last summer was thwarted when Israel denied him a visa due to his stance on the conflict. Collboni stated, “Responding to the invitation of the mayors, I announce my intention to present District 11 in the territory of the Palestinian cities, and I hope it will be possible before the summer.”
The ‘District 11’ Initiative: A Model of Solidarity
The ‘District 11 – Cities of Palestine’ initiative mirrors Barcelona’s historical ‘District 11 – Sarajevo’ project from 1992, which aimed to strengthen cooperation with the war-torn city by symbolically adding it as an eleventh district to Barcelona’s existing ten. This framework provides a robust platform for collaboration and support. Mayors from Gaza, Ramallah, and Bethlehem have participated in various events related to the establishment of this new district, either remotely or in person.
Previous Obstacles and Diplomatic Repercussions
Last summer’s planned visit, which included stops in Jerusalem, Ramallah, and Bethlehem, was ultimately limited to Amman, Jordan, where Collboni visited refugee camps managed by UNRWA. The Israeli government’s veto came just before the municipal delegation and press were set to depart, citing Barcelona’s clear rejection of Israel’s invasion of Gaza. Israel formally revoked the entry permit for the socialist mayor, who had intended to visit symbolic sites in Jerusalem and meet with the mayors of Ramallah and Bethlehem. Israel’s Ministry of Interior justified the rejection by referencing Collboni’s “history of defaming the State and participating in a boycott of Israel.” The Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs subsequently lodged a complaint regarding the incident.
Travel Logistics and Future Plans
While Mayor Collboni did not provide specific details about the upcoming visit, a potential route to Ramallah or Bethlehem in the West Bank, bypassing Israeli territory, could involve crossing the Allenby Bridge (also known as King Hussein Bridge) from Jordan. This option was considered after the Israeli travel ban. The Mayor’s office remains committed to fostering these international relationships and supporting the Palestinian communities through concrete projects.
Ramallah Mayor’s Visit to Barcelona
In October, the Mayor of Ramallah, Issa Kassis, visited Barcelona. This visit occurred two years after his previous one in 2023, following the Israeli army’s occupation of Gaza in the wake of the Hamas attacks on October 7 of that year. Such exchanges underscore the ongoing commitment to the ‘District 11’ initiative and the direct engagement between the cities.
The ‘District 11 – Cities of Palestine’ initiative aims to provide tangible assistance and foster stronger ties between Barcelona and the Palestinian territories, despite the complex geopolitical landscape and previous diplomatic challenges. Mayor Collboni’s determination to proceed with this visit highlights Barcelona’s dedication to international solidarity and humanitarian cooperation.
Source: https://elpais.com/espana/catalunya/2026-01-28/jaume-collboni-insiste-en-que-quiere-visitar-las-ciudades-de-palestina-con-las-que-barcelona-coopera.html
