Press Release – Belize (Government) Press Office – September 9, 2011 – The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is pleased to announce that the Government of Belize has decided to formally recognize Palestine as a sovereign and independent State within its pre-1967 borders. In taking this decision Belize joins more than a hundred and twenty other members of the United Nations who have formally recognized the State of Palestine.
This decision is consistent with Belize’s long held position in support of the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people to self-determination in an independent, contiguous and viable State of Palestine, living side by side with secure and mutually recognized borders in peace and security with its neighbours.
Belize’s own history, as a peace-loving nation, proud of its own heritage of peaceful coexistence of peoples of various religions, races and ethnic groups, confirms our view that any differences between Israel and Palestine can and must be resolved by peaceful means. We therefore welcome assurances and commitments from both sides of their resolve to settle any and all their differences early, amicably and by peaceful means.
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