PMO denies reports of Barbados UNGA walkout

The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) has denied reports that the Barbados delegation joined dozens of delegates in a walkout at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu opened his address last Thursday.

The report, carried by numerous international media outlets, indicated that Barbados and several other Caribbean states were among approximately 70 countries that either walked out or did not attend the session in response to mounting criticism of Israel’s military operations in Gaza and elsewhere.

However, in a statement issued on Sunday by the PMO, it was stated that, “The Barbados delegation, including Ms [Mia] Mottley, remained in place, finalising the speech that the Prime Minister delivered later Thursday afternoon.

“That address by Prime Minister Mottley spelt out clearly what Barbados’ position is in relation not just to the current war, but the long-standing Arab-Israeli conflict,” the statement added.