Recognition of Palestine a welcome step

THE EDITOR, Madam:

This is an open letter to Prime Minister Andrew Holness

Thank you for the correct and just action taken by our government in recognising the state of Palestine. It is an action which starts to reaffirm our position on self-determination, adherence to international law and issues of human rights; it sends a strong message to the rest of the world.

While this is an emotional time for many of us in the community. and we are no doubt elated, we recognise there is much work left to be done.

While we celebrate this small victory here in Jamaica, we must never forget that there remains a genocide taking place in Palestine carried out via state-sponsored terrorism.

Let us now move on to playing our part to removing the barriers to peace by condemning this genocide, condemning illegal Israeli settlements, condemning the forced displacement of Palestinians, condemning the mass murder of Palestinians and condemning the taking of Palestinian men, women and children hostage in keeping with international law and the United Nations Charter to which we are committed. By condemning these actions, we will serve to remove all the relevant obstacles for a just and lasting peace.

We look forward to seeing the Government of Jamaica continuing on this path.

JALIL DABDOUB

Attorney at Law