St Vincent government sites ‘War Crimes’ in Israel-Gaza conflict

The Government of St Vincent and the Grenadines issued a statement on Friday, following up on CARICOM saying, “the savage nature of the attacks and counterattacks is the antithesis of civilised life and living” referring to the Israel-Hamas conflict.

These statements have come in the wake of an attack conducted by Hamas militants, in which multiple rockets were fired into Israel’s territory and roughly 100 people were taken as hostages on the 7^th of October.

Naturally, Israel has responded by regularly bombing Gaza, resulting in a humanitarian and economic crisis in the already fragile region.

The Ralph Gonsalves led St Vincent and the Grenadines government has voiced its support for the stance taken by CARICOM in a statement on Friday.

“We reiterate the foundational principles for settlement of the conflict as contained in the United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 242, which was adopted on November 22, 1967, following the Six-Day War in June 1967 between Israel, on the one hand, and Arab nations, including the Palestinians, on the other hand.”

The government sited the resolution, pointing out “a just and lasting peace in which every State in the area can live in security” and “the sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence of every state in the area and their right to live in peace within secure and recognised boundaries free from threats or acts of force…” as foundational principles.

“This Resolution has become a pivotal cornerstone of Middle East diplomatic efforts since then” the statement continued. According to the government, “a two-state solution” is beneficial for both Israel and Palestine, so as to allow them to exist with in recognized boundaries in a peaceful manner.

“Successive governments of Israel, more particularly those headed, or unduly influenced, by right-wing and ultra-nationalist forces, including the current government, have refused repeatedly to ensure the practical implementation of ‘a just and lasting peace’” the government stated.

“Indeed, Israel has imposed a veritable colonialism, including a harsh settler-colonialism and a forceful, illegal occupation of Palestinian lands, which has given rise to intense Palestinian resistance and a brutal Israeli response. Sadly, innocent lives are being lost, needlessly.”

The government has also shown its disappointment at the current state of affairs, characterized by savage attacks and counter attacks. This song is in tune with CARICOM’s original statement, calling the acts abhorrent.

It was also stated that war crimes are being committed by both sides with impunity, something that is absolutely unacceptable.

“We call for a cessation of hostilities on all sides and the embarkation of a quest for a just and lasting peace in accordance with the principles and provisions of the UNSCR 242.”

The Government of St Vincent and the Grenadines insists for “the urgent, just, and merciful intervention of the United Nations Security Council to assist in bringing hostilities to an end and to ensure that international humanitarian law is upheld in Gaza for the sake of humanity.”

Which such strongly worded statements coming from Caribbean nations, it is clear that their stance is one for peace. The region has voiced its concerns both collectively, and in the form of individual nations.