Bridgetown, April 22 (RHC)-- The Government of Barbados declared this Sunday the official recognition of Palestine as a State and noted that the decision is consistent with its position before the United Nations that the two-state solution be applied to end the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.

In this sense, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Kerrie Symmonds, stated that the Cabinet had “made the determination that the time has come to have formal diplomatic recognition of the State of Palestine.”

He stated his desire that the recognition of Palestine as a State would not affect the relationship that Barbados has with Israel.  Meanwhile, she recalled that since August 29, 1967, Barbados has had formal recognition of the State of Israel and the relationship between the two countries has been exceptionally good.

“We have benefited greatly through technical cooperation with the State of Israel in a number of fields, including our efforts in food security and agriculture, and also helping us with the growing drought challenges and water-related challenges that we’ve had,” Symmonds said.

While stating that Barbados has always maintained in the United Nations that there must be a two-State solution, the Foreign Minister reflected: “How can we say that we want a two-State solution if we do not recognize Palestine as a State?” 

“So, I have brought to Cabinet the necessary document to enable us to formally acknowledge, I believe, a mistake that we have made over the years and correct it.  And now we have formally approached the State of Palestine to signal our intention to formally recognize it as a State,” said Symmonds.

Barbados, together with the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), "has expressed its unconditional disappointment and dissatisfaction with the humanitarian crisis and the disproportionality of the Israeli response," according to the minister's statements.

“We fervently believe that this is going too far…” she said, alluding to the accusation of war crimes and genocide that weighs on Israel for its escalation in Gaza, which has already left more than 34,000 Palestinians murdered.

"Therefore, we join the countries that have already asked today for the escalation of antagonism to be reduced," said the Chancellor, while insisting that "I really want to urge that reason returns to its place, lucidity and serenity prevail... and to rely on better judgment and the use of good discretion in an effort to stabilize and reduce tensions in that part of the world."