Abdul Karim al-Zubeidi, President of the Association of Palestinian Local Authorities (APLA), held a meeting with Sharon Dijksma, President of the Association of Netherlands Municipalities (VNG) and Mayor of Utrecht. The meeting was attended by Eng. Abdallah Anati, APLA Executive Director, Peter Jeroense, VNG Deputy Director General and Executive Director of VNG International, and several team members from both sides. Participants discussed prospects for municipal cooperation between Palestine and the Netherlands, role of local government associations in promoting good governance, supporting recovery efforts, and defending justice and human dignity amid the difficult political and humanitarian circumstances facing Palestine.

During the meeting, Al-Zubeidi asserted that the relationship between the two associations was historic and deeply rooted since the establishment of APLA. He noted that VNG was among the first supporters of APLA’s journey and contributed to strengthening its institutional capacity and international presence. 

Al-Zubeidi stressed that the current stage required that municipal associations around the world to take clear political and moral positions and to put pressure on their governments to recognize the State of Palestine. “Although they operate under extremely harsh and inhuman conditions in both Gaza and the West Bank, Palestinian municipalities continue to perform their duties toward citizens with determination and resilience,” Al-Zubeidi concluded. 

Dijksma expressed her deep concern and sorrow over the situation in Palestine, affirming that people in the Netherlands and across Europe were following developments with concern and sympathy and that public voices were rising to demand an end to the genocide and respect for international law. Dijksma explained that the visit aimed at gaining firsthand insight into the situation of Palestinian local government units (LGUs) and exploring ways to contribute to recovery efforts. “The Netherlands will host an international conference on reconstruction and recovery,” she noted. 

The meeting concluded by affirming that decentralization and LGU empowerment served as fundamental pillars of any genuine recovery process. Reconstruction and community development require LGUs that possess full authority, adequate resources, and political responsibility toward their citizens.