We are a global community in desperate need of collective security, yet we find ourselves embroiled in conflicts, both new and old, that have stolen resources, time, and—most tragically—innocent lives.
The silence that has engulfed Sudan is unacceptable and may well be rooted in the racism that the world still carries as a badge of honor from the victories of the last Great War—World War II. Meanwhile, the actions in Myanmar continue unchecked, while Ukraine has sucked more oxygen out of the global community and financial system than any of us can appropriately accept. At the very moment when the world must rally its resources and efforts to fight the greatest crisis known to mankind, we are diverted by war.
The spread of conflict from Gaza, with its devastating consequences in the West Bank, to the unfolding tensions in Lebanon and Israel, is but a snapshot of the horrors faced by so many. Innocent people are paying the price with the one thing that is most precious to them and that they do not give willingly— their lives. We cannot, and must not, allow these conflicts to continue unchecked. If we do not address the root causes of these wars—if we do not examine the systems that sustain and finance them—then we will never know anything other than war and rumors of war.
The transmission of these scenes of horror in real time, into people’s bedrooms and living rooms across the world, is a testament to the harsh reality that has guided many through these dark times. But we must remember, as it is written in the scriptures: “Vengeance is mine, saith the Lord.” No country, no human being, should act as though they have the right to seek vengeance on another. The Bible, and the moral lessons it offers, cannot be used as a convenient aid when it suits us and then discarded when it doesn’t. In this tumultuous world, Barbados took the significant step this year of recognizing and establishing diplomatic relations with the State of Palestine. We did so in the belief that lasting peace can only be achieved through the acknowledgment of each nation’s right to exist in peace and security. We condemn the actions of Hamas on October 7th, yet we also strongly deplore the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, resulting from the disproportionate use of force by Israel. There is no justification for this, and that is why treaties exist to govern the rules of engagement in war—because we, as human beings, have learned better, know better, and are committed to doing better.
A two-state solution remains elusive, but it is essential. Palestinians and Israelis must both live within internationally recognized borders, free from the threat of force, in peace. However, this continued conflict is consuming too many of the world’s resources, diverting attention and aid away from those who need it most.
We are at a crossroads. The world must unite behind a singular commitment to build global peace, to end the wars and conflicts that have ravaged so many regions, and to create a future where diplomacy and dialogue triumph over violence and destruction.
It is time to resolve the root causes of these conflicts, to break the cycles of vengeance and hatred, and to build a more peaceful world for generations to come.
This article is based on the address delivered by Mia Amor Mottley, Prime Minister of Barbados, during the 79th Session of the United Nations General Debate.
