An overwhelming majority of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) voted last weekend in favour of the State of Palestine becoming a member of the world body.
A total of 143 out of 193 members of the UN, including Barbados and CARICOM states, voted in favour of the resolution signalling support for Palestinian membership.
The vote was triggered by a resolution introduced by the Arab Group of States, which called for the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to reconsider the admission of the State of Palestine to the United Nations. Previously on April 18, 2024, the UNSC failed to admit Palestine as a full member as a result of a United States veto.
Following the vote, Barbados’ Permanent representative to the UN, François Jackman, said that Barbados strongly supports Palestine’s membership of the UN.
He further informed the General Assembly that Barbados had recognised and was in the process of establishing diplomatic relations with the State of Palestine.
“We do this because we firmly believe in the right of self-determination of the Palestinian people and in their right to live in safety and security,” Ambassador Jackman stated.
He also underlined Barbados’ longstanding support for a two-state solution to the Palestinian question.
Barbados also reiterated earlier calls, including those of CARICOM and the UN Security Council, for an immediate and lasting ceasefire in the war in Gaza, the unconditional release of all hostages and the provision of humanitarian assistance in all its dimensions to the people of Gaza.
The UN Security Council will now, at the request of the General Assembly, reconsider Palestine’s application for membership in the coming weeks.