Palestinian Ambassador to Caricom and Trinidad and Tobago Dr Linda Sobeh Ali says she is “alarmed” by growing engagement between Trinidad and Tobago and Israel, but remains confident the Government will maintain its support for Palestine.
Speaking during a virtual news conference via Zoom yesterday, Sobeh Ali responded to questions from journalists about recent diplomatic engagement between Trinidad and Tobago and Israeli officials, including a courtesy call on Minister of Foreign and Caricom Affairs Sean Sobers by Israeli representatives last month.
Asked whether Palestine was concerned about the strengthening of ties between Trinidad and Tobago and Israel, the ambassador replied: “We are concerned, and I have the faith that the Trinidad and Tobago government knows and understands that it’s not a conflict, it’s an ongoing occupation, it’s ongoing genocide, it’s ongoing humiliation, it’s ongoing land grab, it’s ongoing annexation, it’s ongoing illegal settlement, it’s ongoing burning people alive.”
Sobeh Ali stressed that Palestine respected Trinidad and Tobago’s sovereignty and its right to determine its own foreign policy. However, she maintained that her country was closely monitoring Israel’s expanding diplomatic presence in the Caribbean.
She said Palestine had already established relations with the current administration, noting that although the previous government recognised the State of Palestine in 2024, she presented her credentials as the country’s first accredited ambassador under the present administration.
The ambassador said she had met with President Christine Kangaloo, Sobers and other government ministers, and had continued engaging regional leaders during recent Caricom meetings in St Lucia.
Despite those engagements, Sobeh Ali acknowledged concerns over Israel’s growing presence in the region.
“Are we alarmed to see Israel in the Caribbean? Yes, we are,” she said. “Are we alarmed when someone sends me signs written in Hebrew saying private property? It just brings to my brain when we received them in our country, in our homes.”
The ambassador also disclosed that she intends to travel to Trinidad and Tobago to hold face-to-face discussions with government officials following the recent diplomatic developments.
She reiterated that Palestine believes Trinidad and Tobago will continue adhering to international law and does not expect the Government to take steps such as opening an embassy in Jerusalem, which Palestine considers occupied territory.
Sobeh Ali used the press conference to renew calls for greater international support for Palestine, urging Caribbean governments to continue advocating for humanitarian access, civilian protection and a negotiated two-state solution.
She also appealed directly to Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar to continue supporting the Palestinian cause.
“Madam Prime Minister, with all due respect, I come to you and I ask you as a mother, as a woman to woman, as a diplomat to diplomat, as a human to human, to continue to advocate for the liberation of Palestine, for the creation of two-state solution and for a just cause of international law for all the Palestinians,” Sobeh Ali said.
Stephania Lanz
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