"You have a friend in Middletown." Perry welcomes Israeli Mayor at Sister City Pact signing
Communities ravaged by terrorism in the 21st century are forever united in their shared hope for peace and prosperity.
Middletown - Residents and leaders packed Middletown’s town hall Monday morning to witness the Sister City Pact signing between Middletown and Ofakim, Israel. Middletown Mayor Tony Perry, sworn into another term on the Township Committee almost 24 hours prior, welcomed Mayor Itzik Danino to Monmouth County’s largest municipality to official form the cultural and economic bond between the two cities.
After the color guard regaled the audience with the national anthems of both Israel and the United States, Mayor Perry took to the dais to welcome Mayor Danino and reflect on their first meeting. Perry, who traveled to war-ravaged Israel in the wake of the Oct. 7, 2023 attacks by Hamas, met Danino and formed an instant bond.
”You have a friend in Middletown. You have a friend in it’s people, and the people of Israel should know they have a friend here,” Perry told Danino before the crowd.
Danino then took to the dais to introduce a video about Ofakim which played in the courtroom. The video showed, in great cinematic detail, the cultural and economic highlights of the south Israeli town. It then turned to the heartache and devastation of the October 7th attacks, and how the hope and perseverance of a small town never yield — something Middletown knows well after the attacks on September 11th.
“Ofakim is undergoing unprecedented physical and social development,” said Danino through an interpreter. “The city is thriving economically and culturally,” he said.
After the two signed their sister city pact, Danino was presented with a key to Middletown by Perry and both cities were given a resolution from the state legislature by Assemblymembers Gerry Scharfenberger (R) and Vicky Flynn (R) alongside Senators Declan O’Scanlon (R) and Bob Singer (R). Monmouth County Commissioner Director Tom Arnone presented Danino with a certificate from the county alongside Commissioner Ross Licitra, Sheriff Shaun Golden, and Prosecutor Ray Santiago.
“This remarkable event celebrated the bond between Middletown and Ofakim, and it was a privilege to recognize Mayor Danino’s leadership and vision. Monmouth County is proud to support this meaningful partnership,” said Arnone.
Both communities have been ravaged by terrorism in the 21st century, yet are united in their shared hope for peace and prosperity - a hope that shined bright and was forever sealed on a snowy day in Middletown.
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