Ja lauded for recognising Palestinian state

THE GOVERNMENT of Jamaica is being commended for its decision to officially recognise Palestine as a state even as concerns rise about how this move may impact the island's relationship with Israel.

Byron Blake, former Jamaican deputy permanent representative to the United Nations (UN), lauded the Andrew Holness-led Government for “recognising its responsibility to the international community” but believes that this action will have implications for the cooperative relations Jamaica has enjoyed with Israel since the 1960s.

“Israel has called in the ambassadors of relatively large and important countries that have voted against Israel in the UN in recent times, so I can see Israel saying to Jamaica 'Why do you want to do that?',” he said.

In a media release on Tuesday, Jamaica's minister of foreign affairs and foreign trade, Senator Kamina Johnson Smith, stated that the island's decision to recognise Palestine as a state was based on its concerns regarding the war in Gaza and the ever-deepening humanitarian crisis there.

“Jamaica continues to advocate for a two-state solution as the only viable option to resolve the long-standing conflict, guarantee the security of Israel, and uphold the dignity and rights of Palestinians. By recognising the state of Palestine, Jamaica strengthens its advocacy towards a peaceful solution,” Johnson Smith said.

The minister has also reaffirmed Jamaica's support for an immediate ceasefire, the release of hostages, and increased access to humanitarian aid for the people of Gaza.

“Jamaica continues to support all efforts for de-escalation and the establishment of lasting peace in the region, imploring all parties to consider the dire consequences of further conflict and commit to diplomatic solutions ensuring the safety and sovereignty of all,” Johnson Smith said.

The statement, which was picked up by several Middle Eastern media entities, including Al-Jazeera and the Middle East Mirror, did not address how this action might affect Jamaica's and Israel's diplomatic relations.

Prime Minister Andrew Holness directed The Gleaner to the statement by Johnson Smith when asked if the Government was concerned about the possible implications of this action on its relationship with Israel.

Further clarification was sought from Johnson Smith, however, messages and calls went unanswered up to press time.

Jamaica is now one of 140 member states of the UN, including 11 Caribbean Community nations, that have recognised the state of Palestine.

On Sunday, Barbados announced its recognition of Palestine as a state with its foreign affairs minister, Kerrie Symmonds, emphasising that this acknowledgement did not affect its “exceptionally good” relationship with Israel.

However, regardless of whether there are consequences to this move by Jamaica, Blake is adamant that the Government did the right thing.

“There is no way that one can compare the lives and the need for living in safety of several million people with investments of whatever size in your country. The two things are just not comparable. There is a moral and there is a practical case in terms of the Palestinians and the need for the Palestinians to have a homeland,” he said.

A similar view was shared by Palestinian-Jamaican and attorney-at-law Jalil Dabdoub, who expressed elation.

“Without a doubt I am really happy with what Jamaica has done, not just for the Palestinian cause, but for our own country. Once again we are coming back to the forefront of leading these struggles of people who are oppressed around the world, and it can augur well for Jamaica,” he told The Gleaner.

Dabdoub had been highly critical of the Government over its absence from a vote in the first resolution at the UN General Assembly calling for a humanitarian truce between Israel and Hamas three weeks after the conflict began in October last year.

He is challenging the Government to go even further and join other countries, such as South Africa, in accusing Israel of genocide against Palestinians.

“We are reaffirming our position to self-determination and the struggles of oppressed people. I am (proud),” he said.

Alexander Scott, director of external communication for the Left Alliance for National Democracy and Socialism movement, while lauding the decision by the Government as a “good step”, contended that it was the “bare minimum”. He, too, is urging Jamaica to join other countries in denouncing Israel's alleged genocide in Gaza.

“There are enough countries who have taken the step and call it what it is - genocide - and we feel that Jamaica can take this step. It would not be an out-of-the-way step to do that,” he said.

sashana.small@gleanerjm.com