Borough to twin with Jenin

Tower Hamlets could be twinned with the West Bank town of Jenin - the town Israel says is the suicide bomber capital of the world.

In a move welcomed by leading Palestinian officials in Britain, Tower Hamlets Council has asked a senior official to examine the "feasibility and protocols" of a link after a council debate.

Michael Keith, Labour councillor for Shadwell, said a detailed exchange programme was not being suggested and the twinning would offer the Palestinians moral rather than material support.

But former Tower Hamlets Labour councillor Bernie Cameron, who is Jewish, condemned the idea as " despicable", Mr Cameron said: "I think it's very, very wrong. All it's going to cause is more anti-Semitism and racism. I don't think the borough should take sides."

The idea came from individuals and anti-war activists in the borough, where at least a quarter of residents are Muslim. They wanted to discuss what practical help could be done for the people of Jenin after Israel sent troops into the town at the end of March.

Martin Empson, of the Stop The War Coalition, said: "Everyone recognises that it's a controversial subject. We wanted to offer solidarity to people who have suffered. Politics aside, this is a humanitarian project, more about raising awareness of the situation in Jenin."

The proposal has been welcomed by Afif Safieh, the official Palestinian delegate to Britain, who said it was "a beautiful gesture in favour of peace and justice in the Middle East".

A council spokesman said: "The council is interested in twinning with towns that have multi-ethnic populations."