After the first exchange of mayors in the district of Ludwigsburg took place in January 2025, the current trip was a continuation of this series of exchanges. "Especially in challenging times, it is particularly important to maintain our long-standing partnership and send a visible signal of solidarity with the local people," emphasized District Administrator Dietmar Allgaier. "At the same time, it is important to continue the professional exchange and to deal with the future issues that concern us on both sides - in order to learn from each other and develop joint solutions." According to Allgaier, the partnership is aimed at the people and not at the political decisions of the Israeli government - these must be kept separate.
In addition to program items in the Upper Galilee, visits to Metula and Menara, a Druze village, Be'eri and the Nova Festival grounds, as well as Jaffa and Tel Aviv with a meeting with a representative of the German Embassy were also on the agenda.
Education connects - sixth school partnership with Israel in prospect
The program also included a visit to Emek HaHula High School, which has maintained a close partnership with Alfred-Amann-Gymnasium in Bönnigheim for 15 years. During the current trip, the intention of further cooperation with the Helene-Lange-Gymnasium in Markgröningen was symbolically confirmed by planting a tree together - as a sign of the partnership, which is set to grow in the coming years.
Background to the partnership:
The district of Ludwigsburg has maintained a friendship with the Upper Galilee for more than 40 years, which led to an official partnership in 1997. In 2022, the district celebrated and renewed the 25th anniversary of the partnership with the Upper Galilee region. At the heart of the partnership are the many different encounters - from student exchanges and teacher seminars to professional cooperation between the clinics in the healthcare sector.
