The Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago decided, in a Cabinet meeting yesterday Thursday, to officially recognize the State of Palestine.

This decision came based on the recommendation of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, as the Cabinet concluded that the official recognition of Palestine by the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago would help achieve a lasting peace by enhancing the growing international consensus on the issue of Palestinian independence, according to what was reported by the Palestinian News and Information Agency "Wafa" today Friday.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated in a statement that Trinidad and Tobago has a long history of principled support for the Palestinian people's right to self-determination, as reflected in the government's firm stance that the two-state solution is the only way to resolve the long-standing conflict, and that this is its permanent position, which is based on Trinidad and Tobago's respect for international law and the principles enshrined in the United Nations Charter.

It added that this support has been regularly manifested through Trinidad and Tobago's endorsement of key resolutions regarding Palestine in the United Nations General Assembly, including resolution 67/19, which granted Palestine non-member observer state status in the General Assembly, and the annual General Assembly resolutions regarding the permanent sovereignty of the Palestinian people in the occupied Palestinian territories, including East Jerusalem, and the inhabitants of the occupied Syrian Golan regarding their natural resources and the peaceful settlement of the Palestinian issue.

It noted that since the recent war on the Gaza Strip on October 7, Trinidad and Tobago has also supported the resolutions adopted in the emergency sessions of the General Assembly held on October 27 and December 10, 2023, regarding the protection of civilians and legal and humanitarian obligations.

Regarding the issue of the Palestinian state, the ministry clarified in its statement that Prime Minister Keith Rowley said in the media briefing to the council on October 26, 2023: "Trinidad and Tobago's position on this matter remains the same, which is that we support the two-state solution, where peace and sustainable development can be achieved in the Middle East, including Israel and its neighbors, with recognition of Israel's right to exist, and the right of the Palestinians to have their own state. This is Trinidad and Tobago's position, and this is our stance. This is our position, whether there is war or not, because we believe this is the only option among all available choices that offers any possibility for reducing animosity and hatred in favor of peaceful coexistence."