The Republic of Barbados has officially recognized Palestine as a state, becoming the 140 United Nations member and the 11th Caribbean Community (CARICOM) to do so.

 

Barbados’ Minister of Foreign affairs and Foreign Trade Kerries Symmonds, in a statement today, said that his country “made the determination that the time is ripe for us to have a formal diplomatic recognition of the State of Palestine” - adding that they have always pushed for a two-state solution to the conflict.

 

“How can we say we want a two-state solution if we do not recognise Palestine as a state?” Despite having said to the world that we would like to see a two-state solution, Barbados itself has never recognised the State of Palestine. And therefore, there is an incongruity and inconsistency,” Symmonds added.

 

Barbados will maintain its relationship with “Israel”. Symmonds said that the decision to formally recognize Palestine as a state will not affect its bilateral relationship with “Israel”.