On April 23, 2024, a Palestinian ambassador traveling with a UN delegation requested that Trinidad and Tobago assist in putting a stop to Israel’s assault on the Gaza Strip and acknowledge Palestine as a state.
At a meeting with diplomats from three supportive countries at the UN headquarters in Port of Spain, Palestine’s permanent observer to the UN, Riyad Mansour, made this request. He is a member of the UN Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People, which was established in 1975 to support the rights of the Palestinian people and a diplomatic settlement to the Palestine issue.
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A recent news report said that on October 7, hundreds of Hamas fighters invaded Israeli villages, murdering 1,200 people and taking 250 others captive in Gaza amid alleged sexual assaults. Israel’s assault on Gaza since then has resulted in 33,000 deaths and the destruction of many structures. In 1948, Israel was established as a state on territory where Jews had ancient ties. However, during the Al Nakba, or disaster, hundreds of thousands of Arab residents were driven from the area, and their place was taken by an influx of Jews who were escaping persecution in Europe, especially under Nazism.
Dr. Amery Browne, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, was reportedly met by Mansour.
“We were received in a very warm and perceptive way by the Honourable Foreign Minister Browne.”
According to him, the group requested that Trinidad and Tobago acknowledge Palestine as a state.
“He said, ‘Our doors are open.’
“We welcome that, we appreciate that, and we want to continue the dialogue and discussion to see an implementation of what we hope would be the promising recognition of the State of Palestine soon, the best investment in peace and saving the two-State solution.”
According to Mansour, visas for holders of Palestinian passports were also covered by the mission.
“We have 141 countries that recognize us. It should not be difficult for Palestinians to receive visas, to be allowed to come to this country for business, for education, for whatever.”
He stated that Palestinians need to be granted easy access to Trinidad and Tobago, instead of an immigration officer failing to recognize Palestine on his list of recognized nations.
Remarking that just four or five of the thirty-three regional nations had not yet recognized Palestine, he expressed his desire for positive ties with T&T and the area.
According to the ambassador, Palestinians have always endured horror and misery, but this is especially true in Gaza.
Claiming that Israel had driven Palestinians out of Gaza’s north, center, and south, and next to “God knows where” or perhaps the Sinai Peninsula in Egypt, Mansour stated, “We don’t need another Nakba.”
Accusing Israel of fabricating a story, he claimed that responding to October 7 did not give Israel permission to murder 35,000 Palestinians, most of whom were women, children, or senior citizens.
Mansour claimed that 80,000 Palestinians had suffered injuries, despite claims of malnutrition in Gaza and the use of starvation as a weapon of war.
“We support the UN secretary general demanding a humanitarian ceasefire. We need a ceasefire!”
According to him, Palestinians are actual people with names, life experiences, family, and identities. It was the UN team’s goal that by presenting a tale, the war would be brought to a stop.
Children in Gaza had not attended school for six months, so Mansour expressed confidence that the region might recover and find a political solution. He looked forward to the establishment of a State of Palestine after the war.
According to Mansour, 141 nations have recognized Palestine, thus it makes sense for T&T to follow suit with the majority of the nations in this area.
He said during the 11 a.m. briefing that the Bahamas, Guyana, and Jamaica were the only three regional nations that did not recognize Palestine; but, by 6 p.m., Jamaica had made a big show of its recognition.
Mansour stated during the Q&A period that T&T had backed UN resolutions regarding Palestine. He said that the group would depart from T&T that day in order to travel to Georgetown and meet with Caricom, who he claimed had demanded a cease-fire and President Dr. Irfaan Ali of Guyana. The catastrophe in Gaza, he claimed, had increased sympathy for Palestinians.
Newsday inquired about attempts to bring Israel and Palestine to a mutual understanding.
According to Mansour, Israel attempted to claim that history started on October 7.
“We are against the killing of human beings, innocent civilians regardless of whom is doing it, them or us.” He doubted Israel had ever said similar.
“They think the lives of Israeli Jews are in a special category and they would be offended if you compare it to the life of a Palestinian child.”
Palestinians, he claimed, were amenable to dialogue and compromise.
“If you did not watch the behavior of the Israeli ambassador at the UN, I advise you to revisit some of the webcasts of the Security Council. He insults everyone. It’s either his way or the highway.” Mansour said that the Israeli envoy had “complete contempt and disregard” for the UN.
He questioned Israel whether it could say the same, stating that Palestine was “ready and willing to negotiate” following international law and UN resolutions.
“We do not have the conditions that the two sides want to talk to each other because one side (Israel) does not want to recognize my (Palestine’s) existence.”
He added, “The Israeli Knesset (Parliament) a month ago legislated by 99 votes out of 120 that the Palestinian state does not exist.”
“So if he negates my existence, what is there for you to suggest to me to talk to them?” On the other hand, Mansour stated that any acknowledgment would be “The first step in the right direction.”
Recently, reporters inquired as to whether the committee had held talks with Israeli ambassadors at the UN.
Chiekh Niang, a committee member and UN ambassador for Senegal, retorted, “Israel always turns down our invitations.”
Additionally in attendance were UN delegates Jaime Hermida Castillo from Nicaragua and Ernesto Siberon Guzman from Cuba.
A news media was informed by Dr. Amery Browne via WhatsApp that “T&T has been a leading voice in the global advocacy for peace in the Middle East, and during the current violence being unleashed in Gaza we have been consistent in our calls for an immediate ceasefire and lasting peace via implementation of a two-state solution.”
He noted that President Dennis Francis of the UN General Assembly had demonstrated strong multilateral leadership, which had strengthened T&T’s voice. Browne expressed his enthusiasm to meet with the committee, stating that Palestine had already obtained non-member observer state status at the UN.
During these extensive discussions, the committee expressed gratitude to T&T for its steadfast stance on Palestine and Middle East peace, as well as for its stellar track record of endorsing and co-sponsoring UN resolutions intended to break the cycle of horrifying violence and provide aid to those most impacted by it.
“The meeting also featured detailed dialogue on determinations made by a growing number of states to recognize the state of Palestine in advance of the achievement of full UN membership.”
“This matter continues to be under active consideration by Cabinet, and information shared by the visiting delegation will be important and relevant in helping to determine the next steps.”
Saddam Hosein, the UNC MP for Barataria/San Juan, stated via WhatsApp, “I welcome the calls for T&T to recognize Palestine as a state. It will send a strong message to the world of our commitment to the right of self-determination of the people of Palestine.”
He bemoaned the horrific agony endured by the Palestinian people as well as the senseless murder of thousands of defenseless Palestinians, especially children.
“Trinidad and Tobago must join our other Caribbean counterparts and recognize Palestine as a State.” According to him, recognition would demonstrate T&T’s sympathy and support for the Palestinian people.
“Last week Barbados did so and today Jamaica made an announcement that they have recognized the State of Palestine.”
A two-state solution will benefit both Israel’s security and the rights and dignity of the Palestinian people, according to a statement made by Jamaican Foreign Affairs Minister Kamina Johnson Smith.
“By recognizing the state of Palestine, Jamaica strengthens its advocacy towards a peaceful solution.”
She implored, “an immediate ceasefire, the release of hostages, and increased access to humanitarian aid for the people of Gaza.”
