S.T. GEORGE’S, Grenada, CMC – Grenada’s first Islamic Member of Parliament, Salim Rahaman, has called on the Grenada government as well as the wider Caribbean Community (CARICOM) to do all within their power and influence to stop the ongoing war between Israel and Palestine.
“I ask our government to do all within their power and influence, within CARICOM and wherever possible, to keep calling for a stop to the ongoing bloodshed, and to do whatever you can, at the level of the U.N. and other areas of diplomacy, to save lives,” he said, describing the events in the Gaza as a disregard for human life.
“Madam President, if we can save one life, it is as if we can save the whole of mankind.” Hope, in peace, as opposed to conflict; in life, as opposed to death, is a cornerstone of our humanity,” Rahaman told Parliament.
“I ask for our people to pay attention to what is going on in our world. Do your research, strive to be in the know, and be an agent for all that is just. No longer do we sit in distant corners of the world, only as observers,” he said before calling on the legislators to observe a minute of silence for those who have lost their lives in the bombings?
Leader of Government Business in the Senate, Adrian Thomas, endorsed Rahaman’s statement, saying, “I have been following the news and seeing what is happening, and it brings me right back to October 19, 1983, when I was on Fort Rupert then…our administration is in sympathy with the people, and we look forward to when there will be peace in that region”.
The Biden administration has increased military resources in the Middle East amid fears of a widening war. As the humanitarian crisis spirals in Gaza, the U.N. General Assembly is set to vote on calling for a cease-fire.
On Friday, diplomatic sources said there has been “significant progress” on negotiations to release hostages held by Hamas, but issues are remaining.
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East says 53 of its staffers have died in Gaza since October 7. This is the agency’s highest number of casualties in conflict ever,
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