BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, CMC—Barbados will officially recognize Palestine as a State, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Kerrie Symmonds has disclosed.
At a media launch highlighting activities for the 166th Regular Session of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights, Symmonds said Cabinet had “determined that the time is ripe for us to have a formal diplomatic recognition of the State of Palestine.”
He, however, stressed that the acknowledgment of Palestine as a State does not affect the relationship Barbados has with Israel.
“Since August 29, 1967, Barbados has formally recognized the State of Israel, and the relationship between the two countries has been perfect. We have benefitted tremendously through technical cooperation with the State of Israel in several fields, not the least of which is our efforts at food security and agriculture, and also assisting us with the increasing drought and water-related challenges we have had,” Minister Symmonds said.
The Foreign Affairs Minister stressed that Barbados has always maintained that there should be a two-state solution at the United Nations.
“Ironically, despite having told the world that we would like to see a two-state solution, Barbados itself has never recognized the State of Palestine. Therefore, there is a contradiction and inconsistency because how can we say we want a two-state solution if we do not recognize Palestine as a State?
“So, I have taken Cabinet the necessary paper to allow us to formally recognize, I think, an error that we have made through the years and to correct that. And now, we have formally reached out to the State of Palestine to signal our intention to recognize them as a State formally,” Symmonds said.
He disclosed that Barbados had formal talks with the State of Palestine in September last year, before the start of the Israel-Hamas Gaza Strip dispute.
“So, it preceded that event. But I want to say very clearly that since that time, Barbados, along with CARICOM, has expressed its unconditional disappointment and dissatisfaction about the humanitarian crisis and the disproportionality of the Israeli response. We believe fervently that this is now going way too far…. Therefore, we join with those countries who have already called today for a de-escalation of the antagonism.
“I want to urge that reason resume its seat, that clarity and coolness prevail, and that better judgment and the use of good discretion be relied upon in an effort to stabilize and ratchet down the tensions in that part of the world,” the Foreign Affairs Minister stated.
and then 