Holness bemoans loss of life in Israel-Gaza conflict, calls for two-state settlement of longstanding dispute

Prime Minister Andrew Holness on Sunday expressed grave concern at the rising death toll in the current war between Israel and the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip, and has urged that a peaceful solution be urgently reached.

The Prime Minister, speaking at the Annual Conference of his governing Jamaica Labour Party [JLP], Mr Holness affirmed his Government's support for a two-state solution, as the only viable outcome of the longrunning conflict between the Israelis and the Palestinians.

Asserting that Jamaica is "consistent in its support for for the universal respect and adherence to the principles of international law and respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty of all nations," he said Jamaica "condemns all forms of terrorism" and supports the right of nations to defend themselves, that in clear reference to the Israeli Government's response to the attack by Hamas militants against Israeli civilians in early October.

On the other hand, he said, his administration was now "deeply concerned at the rising human cost in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict."

In that regard, he said he welcomed the current pause in hostilities, which has facilitated the exchange of hostages and prisoners on both sides.

Beyond that pause however, he said it was most important to achieve "a permanent solution," stressing that "we remain convinced that this can only be achieeved by a negotiated two-state solution, enabling the Palestinians and Israelis to live securely in peace and dignity."

The Jamaican Government came in for sustained criticism, within and outside of the country, following its failure to vote on a UN Resolution calling for a humanitarian ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas conflict a few weeks ago,