November 2005: Celebrating 25 years of twinning between
Dundee and Nablus
It was in November 1980 that Dundee and Nablus agreed to establish a
twinning relationship. This was built on a relationship formed
between Dundee Councillors and the Mayor of Nablus - Bassam
Shaka'a. The Mayor had lost his legs in a car bomb attack by Israeli settlers. When Dundee councillors met him they invited him to Dundee so that he could make use of the excellent Dundee Limb Fitting Centre. This was the start of a lasting relationship.
In the ceremonies to commemorate 25 years, the Lord Provost of Dundee hosted a civic reception and signed a re-affirmation. The Acting Mayor of Nablus also signed the document at a ceremony in Nablus.
It was particularly appropriate that former Lord Provost Jim Gowans was present at the re-affirmation ceremony and at a celebration ceilidh. He was in office when the twinning was initiated.
See article "Cities celebrate 25 years of twinning" in The Courier.