Dominica open to hosting Palestinian refugees, says PM Skerrit

Dominica Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit has announced that his administration is open to public consultations on the potential resettlement of Palestinians in Dominica, describing it as both a humanitarian gesture and an opportunity to strengthen the country’s workforce.

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Speaking during the national budget debate in Parliament on Thursday, Skerrit said:

“I believe that we will be open to engage the governments of Qatar and Saudi Arabia with the view to quite possibly allowing the resettlement of a couple hundred of Palestinians in Dominica.”

Skerrit emphasized that the move could have mutual benefits for Dominica, noting the skill sets many displaced Palestinians possess.

“You have very talented people in these countries, doctors and engineers who we believe can assist us in our efforts to growing the economy and filling the gaps…”

The proposal comes amid growing global momentum in support of Palestinian statehood. At the upcoming United Nations General Assembly, several countries are expected to advocate for the formal recognition of Palestine.

On Wednesday, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced that Canada plans to formally recognize Palestine. Just last week, France joined 14 other countries in co-signing a declaration signaling broader support for Palestinian sovereignty.

These developments follow mounting international pressure on Israel to end its military campaign in Gaza, which began on October 7, 2023, after Hamas carried out an attack that killed more than 1,000 Israelis. Israel has since vowed to continue military operations until Hamas is eliminated.

Skerrit’s comments mark a rare stance in the Caribbean region, where few countries have openly discussed the possibility of hosting Palestinian refugees. The proposal is expected to generate public debate in Dominica, where the government says it will gauge national sentiment before moving forward.