Israel Voices Disappointment Over Barbados Recognizing Palestine, Emphasizes Strong Diplomatic Ties

Israel has told the Mia Mottley administration that its “unfortunate” decision to recognise Palestine as a state will set back the Middle East peace process.

“We think this decision is an unfortunate one because it will not, in an iota at all, promote any kind of solution to the conflict or promotion of peace,” Israel’s non-resident Ambassador to Barbados Itai Bardov told Barbados TODAY in an exclusive telephone interview from his Panama base.

But he gave an assurance that Tel Aviv’s longstanding diplomatic ties with Bridgetown remain intact.

“I do want to stress that this will not affect the bilateral good relations between Israel and Barbados, but we are disappointed with the decision to recognise the Palestinian State, which goes against the Oslo Accord,” he contended.

His comments came as the 193-member United Nations General Assembly overwhelmingly backed a Palestinian bid to become a full UN member by recognising it as qualified to join and recommending the UN Security Council “reconsider the matter favourably”.

“We are not going to pursue any kind of legal matters, but I can tell you that the Government of Barbados is fully aware of our position on the matter; they are fully aware of our objection to these unilateral steps because they promote instability, rather than stability that we seek,” the Israeli diplomat asserted.

He disclosed his government is in contact with Barbados at the diplomatic level.

“We are friendly countries, and we wish to cooperate and work together with Barbados…but of course, we have our political differences, and this is definitely one of them,” he insisted.

“If we want to reach an end to the conflict, to reach some kind of solution, between Israel and the Palestinians, this can only be done on a bilateral basis between Israel and the Palestinians.”

The Israel envoy also had a message for the Barbadian people: “It is important for the people in Barbados to understand that Israel is seeking to have peace. Israel has proven in the past, time and time again, that it is willing to even sacrifice for peace.”

Ambassador Bardov said the Oslo Accord, the peace plan that exists between the Palestinians and Israelis, states that no unilateral steps should be taken such as this one by Barbados.

He also pointed to Israel’s treaties with various states in the region including the Gulf states and its neighbour Egypt and Morocco.