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And the National Evangelical Association of Belize also issued a statement, standing in solidarity with the Council of Churches. However, they took it a step further, referring to October 7th as a "terrorist attack" by Hamas, which they claimed killed 1,400 civilians. They also claim Hamas beheaded children and raped women, though those narratives have been been debunked.
Their release also states, quote, "The nation of Israel is recognized by the United Nations as a sovereign State, and has the full right to exist, and to defend their existence, as any nation does." End quote.
They then begin to criticize the government for not mentioning or condemning Hamas' attack on Israel. They added, quote, "Nicaragua imprisoned and killed citizens, priests, and pastors, and our Government said nothing about human rights violations. Russia has bombed out Ukraine far worse than Gaza, our Government didn't suspend Consular relations. Nor with Venezuela's horrendous human rights violations, murdering political opponents." End quote.
NEAB says the government made a "grave error" that needs "reversal and immediate restoring of relationship with Israel."
Hours after NEAB's release, the government issued its response to both them and the Belize Council of Churches. In response to the BCC's concern about Belizeans having difficulties traveling to Israel, they underscored that Belizeans are still free to visit, and highlighted that there is no visa requirement. They added, quote, Furthermore, when the war erupted, the government arranged with a friendly third country to render aid and assistance to any Belizean in Israel in difficulty. Therefore, it is incorrect for the BCC to indicate any semblance of the contrary." End quote.
GOB also stated that on the question of dialogue, they have communicated to Israel by diplomatic note, to which there has been no response.
However, the government stated that they were pleased to hear that the council of churches is advocating for a two state solution.
As for NEAB's release, they clarified that the prime minister stated in the House of Representatives on October 13th that Belize does not support Hamas' October 7th attack. And that in the Senate on October 26th, the Foreign Minister, quote, touched on the complicated context against which Belize has taken its position, which factors in the unjustified use of force and the killing of innocent civilians by both sides; the demand that international humanitarian and human rights law be respected by all parties; and the calls for an immediate ceasefire, the immediate release of all hostages, and for the safe, unimpeded access for adequate humanitarian support to Gaza." End quote.
The government ended its release by noting that neither the BCC or NEAB condemned the killing of over 11,000 civilians by the IDF, the internal displacement of more than one million Gazans, and the illegal siege imposed by Israel on Gaza, denying the citizens of food, water, electricity and medicine. They added that neither organization has also not condemned Israel's "relentless and indiscriminate" bombing for nearly 50 days, which has destroyed hospitals, refugee camps, and other infrastructure.
