By Love Staff

Belize’s long-standing support for Palestine on the global stage appears to be shifting amid growing support for Israel by the US. For years, Belize has been a strong advocate for Palestinian rights and joined as one of nine founding members of the Hague Group last month. The coalition was established to uphold the rulings of the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court regarding Israel and to protect the interests of developing nations. However, recent developments have raised eyebrows. Belize is no longer listed as a member on the Hague Group’s official website, leading many to believe that the country may be quietly stepping back from its support for Palestine. The timing of this change has fueled speculation that Belize is adjusting its foreign policy in response to potential diplomatic fallout from the United States, under the pro-Israel stance of the Trump Administration. While there has been no official release from the government, the Prime Minister has stated that Cabinet is reviewing the matter. Today, former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Senior Counsel Eamon Courtenay, was asked if he believes such a decision would be in the country’s best interest, given Trump’s strong support for Israel. 

Eamon Courtenay SC, Attorney at Law: “Like every country in the world, particularly those in this part of the world, Belize is undergoing a review of its foreign policy in relation to changes not only in the United States, but changes in Europe as well. I know the foreign minister is actively looking at different aspects, different issues, looking at the position of Belize. He and I have spoken about it from time to time. So I know that the ministry is deeply looking at analyzing the position. What I would say, and I would say no more about this, there are people who are saying quite a lot right now about certain decisions that the government is taking in foreign affairs. And if you look at things in isolation, you may say, I think we should do X. But if you look at that very same issue and you ask, well what is the consequence of doing X on Y, Z, A, B, C, other things that the government is doing or the government is pursuing? We, when I was in ministry and I’m sure it is the same now, you have to start first with your principles, secondly what is your national interest? And that requires careful calibration where you have a world that is in turmoil. I have, based on my experience, full confidence in our Foreign Service Officers, our Minister, our CEO, in their ability to analyze the different issues and implications for Belize, consult with regional governments, consult with friends of Belize when coming to make decisions in the interests of Belize. So I am not at all worried. And I am also not at all concerned if we take a new and different position on a particular issue because circumstances have changed.”

Our newsroom will continue to monitor the situation.

For more on this story go to: https://lovefm.com/belizes-stance-on-palestine-in-question-as-country-quietly-exits-the-hague-group/