Signs for Bournemouth's twin city in Israel removed

Four signs recognising one of Bournemouth’s twin cities – Netanya – have been removed from their posts on the town’s borders. 

They have been removed from the Welcome to Bournemouth signs in Mountbatten Roundabout, Ringwood Road near Bournemouth tip, Magna Road and New Road. 

It’s not clear who has removed them yet or indeed the motives behind it, but the matter is now subject to a police investigation. 

Bournemouth‘s Jewish mayor Anne Filer said she is “very upset and disappointed” to hear the signs have been taken down.

Mountbatten Roundabout (Image: Daily Echo)

Old signs in Mountbatten Roundabout (Image: Google)

She added: “I hope that the police investigation finds them soon and gets them back to where they should be.” 

Michel Filer, chairman of the twinning committee, added: “It could possibly be nothing, no problem whatsoever, that somebody is doing some kind of repair work or the other kind.  

“But there could be unpleasant intent... we would like to get them back. 

“Bournemouth has been twinned with Netanya, who went through the Bournemouth Council some 20 years ago, and there has been inter-town visits on a frequent basis.  

“I look forward to them being put back again and carrying on with normal procedures.” 

Bournemouth remains twinned with Netanya and has been since 1995. 

Ringwood Road by Bournemouth tip (Image: Daily Echo)

A BCP Council spokeswoman said: “We have been made aware that some signage has been removed at Mountbatten Roundabout and several other locations. We are currently looking into this issue.” 

Netanya is a Mediterranean resort city in central Israel and, like Bournemouth, is known for its sandy beaches.  

Dorset Police has been approached by the Echo for more details.

Meanwhile in the Middle East, tensions continue to escalate between Israel and Palestine. 

Israeli bombardments and ground offensives in Gaza have killed more than 33,700 Palestinians and wounded more than 76,200, the Gaza Health Ministry says.  

The ministry doesn’t differentiate between civilians and combatants in its tally, but says women and children make up two-thirds of the dead.  

Israel says it has killed more than 12,000 militants during the war, but it has not provided evidence to back up the claim.  

The conflict started on October 7, when Hamas killed 1,200 Israelis, mostly civilians, in a surprise attack and incursion into southern Israel.   

Around 250 people were seized as hostages by the militants and taken to Gaza. A deal in November freed about 100 hostages, leaving about 130 in captivity, although Israel says about a quarter of those are dead.