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In international news, it's been 40 days of Israel's war on Palestine, which has caused the death of approximately 12,000 civilians in Gaza. Millions around the world are demanding a ceasefire, and Belize is no exception. On Tuesday, we told you that the government cut diplomatic ties with Israel, which the Opposition condemned.
Today, the Council of Churches have come out to say that it also believes the measures were extreme. Their press release says this move, quote, "increases obstacles for Belizeans wanting to visit the Holy Land, is unfortunate, and fails to foster the dialogue necessary for peace." End quote.
Despite that, they joined the government in calling for a ceasefire, and mourning the deaths on both sides.
This evening via Zoom, Senator Moses Benguche explained more about the Council's position.
Sen. Moses Benguche, Council of Churches
"You're aware that we did make an effort to put out a statement condemning the actions of what is taking place in the Middle East at this time, particularly for those responsible, we have made it clear, that as the Belize Council of Churches, we do not condone the violence, nor do we condone the actions of Israel at this time because, to an extent, we think it is excessive. But at the same time, we also recognize that out of every action there is a reaction, and we recognize that what precipitated this round of fighting actually came out of what happened in early October."
"We also thought that we would go just a little bit further, based on the actions that our government has taken, whereby to an extent, it has served it's diplomatic relations with Israel, that we thought it was also important in the last part of our statement to speak to that issue because we thought that perhaps at this time, it was a little bit excessive."
"I'm saying that in light of the fact that other Caribbean countries continue to take the view of what the United Nations is saying of resolution 242 whereby they continue to call for the two state solution and I thought that perhaps that is where for our own international relations and for diplomacy to take its course where our government would have gone. I want to believe the measures we have taken can adversely affect our international relations with other countries."
But with all the destruction, and the events preceding the October 7th attack, is a two state solution a reasonable resolution? We asked the Senator for Churches his view.
Reporter:
"You spoke about action and reaction and we know that, as history tells it, Hamas' attack on Israel, that was in itself a reaction after 75 of occupation, which the government recognizes Israel as occupying Palestine, do you think after 75 years of occupation, a two state solution, and all the past, I believe 40 days of destruction in Gaza, that a two state solution is viable and plausible? "
Sen. Moses Benguche, Council of Churches
"I must answer your question in this way, that we have had conflicts all over the world, the world has seen World War 1 and World War 2 and I'm certain that some people would have said at the time that the world has come to an end and that there cannot be a solution, but we have seen how because of diplomatic efforts, countries have come together, the European Nations have become stronger, and they have bind themselves together. For us in the Caribbean, we have also come to the point where we thought that we should continue to work together as Caribbean states and so the situation between Israel and Palestinians can be resolved but it just will take that extra diplomatic effort in so far as the countries, especially the powerful countries, and I dare say it is not only the powerful countries, but also countries such as Belize, it is based on the positions we take that we as far as I'm concerned should encourage these countries to be more consolidatory towards each other and I believe if we continue to push for that, that the situation between the Israelis and the Palestinians can be solved."
