3 weeks ago
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An Israeli-led consortium plans to build a luxury resort in western Jamaica, but the Government of Jamaica’s endorsement of the investment has sparked online criticism.
It comes amid Israel’s actions in Gaza, described by some as urbicide.
Minister of State in the Ministry of Tourism, Delano Seiveright, described the investment as “game changing” in a social media post on X. The post included a photo of Seiveright, Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett, and an unidentified investor with a small kippah, or skull cap.
Seiveright described the development as a “non-all-inclusive, ultra-luxury, low-density resort/real estate development project” to be located in western Jamaica, which is thronged by tourist resorts along its coast.
Seiveright added that the developers include “Israeli investors and more” and that they plan to collaborate with top talent, including renowned architects. He emphasised that the project would be “environmentally sustainable”, create “tons of good-paying jobs”, and offer “huge opportunities for micro and small businesses”.
The Financial Gleaner reached out to Seiveright for details on the size of the investment, the room count, and other amenities, as well as the Government’s stance on Israeli investments but no response was forthcoming up to press time. Questions were also sent to the Jamaica Chamber of Commerce for their perspective on the investment.
Seiveright’s post drew criticism from bloggers on X.
“No way we doing business with Israeli,” K. Qkuran commented.
“… We have seen terror groups attacking Israeli infrastructure around the world. Is it a wise idea to have a large Israeli hotel?” H. McDonald asked.
“I have a very strong feeling Jamaica is going to regret maintaining and deepening relations with Israel,” M. Selly remarked.
Another user, Phvrvohxo, simply posted: “Free Palestine”.
And other comments referenced the mass killings of Palestinians, while others preferred local over foreign investment. One comment, however, lauded the project.
The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants in November 2024 for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, accusing them of war crimes and crimes against humanity, including the use of starvation as a method of warfare and attacks on civilians during the Gaza conflict. Jamaica is a signatory to the court.
The physical flattening of entire blocks in Gaza — where infrastructure, residential neighbourhoods, and cultural landmarks once stood — has been described as “urbicide” by academics, including those from the Department of Architecture, Faculty of Engineering, at the Arab American University in Palestine. The United Nations estimates that over 62 per cent of all homes in Gaza were damaged or destroyed during the conflict.
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