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JAM | Oct 30, 2023

Kamina says Jamaica’s no-vote on Israel-Hamas conflict due to ‘technical cross in communication’

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Foreign Affairs Minister Kamina Johnson Smith delivering Jamaica’s National Policy Statement at the 78th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York City. (Photo: Cia Pak for United Nations)

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator Kamina Johnson Smith, has blamed Jamaica’s absence from the crucial vote on the humanitarian crisis arising from the ongoing Israeli-Hamas conflict during the 10th United Nations (UN) Emergency Special Session on a “technical cross in communication”.

In a press release on Monday, October 30, Johnson Smith emphasised that Jamaica has not shifted its stance on human rights, reiterating that the ongoing situation in the Middle East necessitates a unified global voice against human rights violations.

She added that as the chair of the CARICOM Caucus of Ambassadors at the UN, Jamaica engaged in discussions concerning the Jordanian resolution, and played a leading role in drafting the CARICOM statement, which was then delivered by the Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Jamaica to the United Nations Brian Wallace, at the UN General Assembly.

While a technical cross in communication led to Jamaica’s representative not voting, our statement on the UN General Assembly floor on behalf of all CARICOM member states unequivocally supports a peaceful resolution of the conflict, humanitarian aid for victims of war, and the release of hostages.

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator Kamina Johnson Smith

But Christopher Henry Jr, junior opposition spokesperson on foreign affairs and foreign trade, said: “Jamaica’s non-participation in support of such a significant resolution is inexcusable. This unfortunate episode gives the impression that the Government of Jamaica is not interested in standing in solidarity with the suffering Palestinian civilians.”

Johnson Smith reiterated that Jamaica’s foreign policy is firmly grounded in robust principles and democratic values.

Tags
Brian Wallace CARICOM conflict Israel-Palestine Kamina Johnson Smith UN General Assembly United Nations

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