By Aabigayle McIntosh

Antigua and Barbuda’s Foreign Affairs Minister said the twin island state was one of the first countries to condemn the act of violence in the Israel/Hamas conflict and that position has remained constant.

Minster EP Chet Greene said this was one of the primary reasons why the country is supporting a resolution calling for an immediate cease-fire.

“The Jordanian resolution was haltered by a Canadian construct which did not find favour with us. Once they came back to the Jordanian resolution which had all the ingredients for the release of civilian’s humanitarian truce, Antigua and Barbuda had no difficulty supporting it,”

“We believe the carnage in Gaza must stop; we believe that the force being used by Israel is disproportionate. We cannot see this kind of behavior taking place and not make our position clear on where we stand in this conflict,” Minister Greene stated.

Greene said it is widely known that the conflict has a deep-rooted history and a resolution would have to be in keeping with the United Nations, the original tenants of the agency’s position.

“In the meantime, what we are seeking is an immediate, durable, and sustainable humanitarian truce because the carnage must stop, diplomacy is at work, and I must commend the 119 nations for voting in this regard,”

The countries that voted in favor of the resolution included The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, and Antigua and Barbuda.

Haiti abstained from voting, while 14 other countries voted against the resolution. Jamaica was expected to vote, but missed the vote, which has led to criticism online.

Jamaica’s Foreign Affairs Minister has updated the situation regarding X (formerly known as Twitter).

It was explained that consultations were taking place with Kingston, but unfortunately, they did not conclude in time for the close of the vote.

Minister Greene credited Ambassador Aubrey Webson, Permanent Representative of Antigua and Barbuda to the United Nations for executing the vote on behalf of Antigua and Barbuda and Sir Ron Sanders Ambassador of Antigua and Barbuda to the Organization of American States (OAS) who has been very busy discussing the conflict with international counterparts.

The matter has also taken center stage at various Caricom meetings.