ALBAWABA - In an official statement, the office of the Jamaican Prime Minister said that the government will officially recognize the state of Palestine. After this decision, Jamaica joined 141 member states of the United Nations that recognize Palestine's sovereignty.
"Jamaica continues to advocate for a two-state solution as the only viable option to resolve the longstanding conflict, guarantee the security of Israel and uphold the dignity and rights of Palestinians," Kamina Johnson Smith, Jamaica's Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, said in a statement on Tuesday.
Majed Bamya, Deputy Permanent Observer of the state of Palestine to the UN, took to Twitter to announce Jamaica's decision. "Thank you for standing by peace, justice and our people's right to self-determination," Amal Jadou, Deputy Foreign Minister of Palestine, wrote on X.
Rather than resorting to military actions, Jamaica's Minister of Foreign Affairs said that the government champions a diplomatic approach for a peaceful resolution to the Israel-Palestine conflict.
This decision, according to the minister, reflects Jamaica's unwavering commitment to the principles embodied in the United Nations Charter, which promotes mutual respect and peaceful coexistence among nations while vigorously pushing for peoples' right to self-determination.
Smith stated that this decision comes from deep concerns over the latest brutal Israeli aggression on Gaza, and the deteriorating humanitarian situation in the besieged enclave.
"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," Smith noted.
The decision comes shortly after Barbados announced its decision to officially recognise Palestine as a state, becoming the 11th Caribbean Community (CARICOM) member to do so.
