August 26, 2025
Mayor's Office
DATE: August 26, 2025
TO: Members of the City Council
FROM:
Mayor Eduardo Martinez, Councilmember Claudia
Jimenez, Councilmember Soheila Bana
Subject:
Establishing a Sister City Program Between Richmond
and the City of Sebastia, Palestine
FINANCIAL IMPACT: Immediate financial impact is expected to be minimal, primarily limited to staff support. Additional costs, if any, will be identified and reported to Council as the
commission develops.
PREVIOUS COUNCIL
ACTION:
July 1, 2008 (Resolution No. 74 -08 establishing the
Zhoushan Sister City Commission)
Sept. 14, 1999 (Resolution No. 147 -99 establishing a
Sister City relationship with Regla, Cuba)
February 8, 1993 (Reso lution No. 22 -93 establishing a Sister City relationship with Zhoushan, China)
February 10, 1964 (Resolution 8337 establishing the
Richmond-Shimada Friendship Commission)
Oct. 16, 1961 (Council Vote establishing a Sister City
relationship with Shimada, Japan)
STATEMENT OF THE
ISSUE:
Richmond’s tradition of international solidarity through sister city relationships can be strengthened by
establishing a new partnership with Sebastia, Palestine.
AGENDA
REPORT
August 26, 2025
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
ADOPT a resolution establishing a Sister City
relationship between the City of Richmond, California,
and Sebastia, Palestine —Mayor Eduardo Martinez (510-
620-6502); Councilmember Claudia Jimenez (510-620-
6565); and Councilmember Soheila Bana (510-620-
6743).
DISCUSSION:
The Sister Cities International program was founded in 1956 to promote peace and mutual understanding through community-level diplomacy. Richmond has participated in this program for over six decades, beginning with its 1961 council vote to establish a sister city relationship with Shimada, Japan. Subsequent relationships were established with Zhoushan, China, in 1993 (Resolution No. 22-93) and Regla, Cuba, in 1999 (Resolution No. 147-99). These partnerships have facilitated cultural, educational, and economic exchanges that enrich Richmond residents and strengthen global ties.
Sebastia is an ancient town located north of Nablus in the West Bank of Palestine.
Situated on a hilltop, Sebastia is one of the most historically significant archaeological sites in the region, with continuous habitation from the Canaanite era through the Roman, Byzantine, Islamic, and Ottoman periods to the present day. Its residents maintain a vibrant cultural identity rooted in resilience, community, and historic preservation.
As of early 2025, 147 of the 193 United Nations member states recognize the State of Palestine, representing over 75 percent of the international community. The United States, however, does not. By establishing a sister city relationship with Sebastia, Richmond would demonstrate local leadership in diplomacy, solidarity, and cultural exchange at a time when such connections are needed globally.
DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
Attachment 1 –Resolution of the Council of the City of Richmond, California in Support of Establishing a Sister City Program With the City of Sebastia, Palestine