Barbados to Officially Recognize Palestine as a State
In a significant move, Barbados has announced its decision to officially recognize Palestine as a state, as revealed by Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Kerrie Symmonds. This decision comes after the Cabinet’s determination that the time is right for formal diplomatic recognition of the State of Palestine.
Symmonds emphasized that this recognition does not impact Barbados’ relationship with Israel, as the country has had a formal recognition of the State of Israel since 1967. The relationship between Barbados and Israel has been described as exceptionally good, with cooperation in various fields such as food security, agriculture, and addressing drought and water-related challenges.
The foreign affairs minister highlighted Barbados’ longstanding support for a two-state solution at the United Nations. He acknowledged the inconsistency of advocating for a two-state solution while not formally recognizing Palestine as a state. Symmonds stated that the decision to recognize Palestine corrects an error and aligns with Barbados’ principles.
Barbados engaged in formal talks with Palestine in September last year, prior to the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza. Following the recent escalation of tensions, Barbados, along with CARICOM, expressed disappointment and dissatisfaction with the humanitarian crisis and Israeli response. The country has joined others in calling for de-escalation and a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
This move by Barbados marks a significant shift in its foreign policy and demonstrates its commitment to supporting peace and stability in the region. The formal recognition of Palestine as a state is a step towards promoting dialogue and cooperation between all parties involved.