STATE SEN. Tony Strickland (R-Huntington Beach) introduces delegation from Israel.

By Jim Tortolano
Orange County Tribune

The “Twin City” relationship between Huntington Beach and the Israeli city of Ramat-Gan was formalized on Friday with a ceremonial signing in the council chambers, but not without controversy.

Protestors gathered outside to voice their objections to Surf City’s connection to a city in Israel, a nation engaged in a bloody conflict with Hamas militants which has taken the lives of tens of thousands of Palestinians..

State Sen. Tony Strickland (R- Huntington Beach) was joined by Mayor Pat Burns and Councilmember Gracey Larrea-Van Der Mark in greeting Carmel Shama-Hacohen, mayor of Ramat-Gan.

Strickland presented Ramat-Gan with a State Senate Resolution before the partnership documents were formally signed.

“The intent is simple and yet powerful,” said Strickland. “To create a bridge between two communities, each rich in culture and unique in character, both united in a belief of the power of connection.”

Shama-Hacohen said, “It’s really a great honor to be here with us today. It’s just signing a paper, but it’s an essential step forward on a journey of cooperation and friendship.” He noted that while the cities were about 10,000 miles apart, “We share the same values.”

There is a private event sponsored by the Israel Global Foundation scheduled for Sunday at an undisclosed location in Huntington Beach.