CAAP urges Barbados to cut ties with Israel over ‘genocide’ claims

The Caribbean Against Apartheid in Palestine (CAAP) has called for Barbados to sever diplomatic and trade ties with Israel, citing what it described as genocide and religious oppression of both Muslims and Christians.

The call was made in a press conference at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre on Wednesday, where speakers outlined recent developments in Palestine and their implications for Barbados and the wider region.

Public Relations Officer of the Barbados Muslim Association Imam Aakil Bhula, detailed what he described as escalating restrictions on Muslim worship.

He said: “On the 28th of February 2026, hours after a military assault was launched on Iran, Israeli occupation forces closed off access to Masjid al-Aqsa. This occurred on the 11th day of Ramaḍān, the busiest and most sacred time of the year for the Muslim community in Palestine. The third holiest Masjid in Islām and our first Qiblah remained closed for the remainder of the month. For the first time since the illegal seizure of East Jerusalem in 1967.”

Imam Bhula noted that while the explanation given was security measures, it was reported that synagogues remained open, restaurants were fully operational, and large anti-government demonstrations were permitted.

He said these developments reflect a wider pattern.

“Mosques are no longer safe spaces; they are being targeted across Palestine and now Lebanon. This closure was not a deviation; it seems to be a rehearsal for a total takeover.”

He added: “At least 713 Palestinians have been killed and nearly 2 000 injured during this time. Israel continues to block vital humanitarian aid and persists in destroying homes and infrastructure across the strip.”

Anglican priest Senator Reverend Charles Morris, who also addressed reporters, stressed that the issue extends beyond religion.

Reverend Morris: “You cannot have a situation where people’s humanity is denied them and you cannot have a situation where people who do not belong to a particular area have invaded or have been allowed to invade the area.”

He called for solidarity with Palestinians, warning that the implications of the conflict affect global humanity.

CAAP secretary Lalu Hanuman, a lawyer, argued that the situation has wider legal consequences, pointing to what he described as a breakdown of international law.

CAAP Secretary Lalu Hanuman holding up a letter addressed to BARJAM requesting support and to the Foreign Minister

“It can be argued that the genocide, the recent genocide that has been ongoing in Gaza, has led to the undermining of international law globally and ultimately has led to the murder of fishermen in the Caribbean Sea because there’s no international law anymore.”

Hanuman referenced a genocide case previously brought before the Barbados courts by David Denny and the Caribbean Movement for Peace and Integration, noting that an appeal is set for May 5.

He urged Barbadians to show support at the hearing and called on the government to honour a prior commitment.

“We’ve been asking the Barbadian government to join some two dozen countries that are supporting the action in the International Court of Justice by South Africa for a declaration that what has happened and is happening in Gaza is genocide…”

He maintained that international support is critical: “It’s important that we give solidarity to the people in Gaza and also support what South Africa is doing rather than to leave them exposed on their own….including many European countries, Spain, Ireland, Belgium, these have all joined in with South Africa in that court matter.”

Hanuman also confirmed that correspondence has been sent to Foreign Minister Chris Sinckler urging decisive action: “It’s an open letter asking that Barbados severs links with Israel and all links, trading links, diplomatic links in Israel.”

CAAP also signalled plans to continue its advocacy efforts locally, including a joint solidarity event featuring a film screening on April 25. In addition, the Hibiscus Sports and Culture Foundation has launched an initiative to raise funds to assist Cuban people facing economic challenges under the tightened US embargo.

(LG)