NTUCB calls on Government to end Israeli-Police training

The NTUCB expressed its strong objections to the training citing that it is likely to endanger the human rights record of Belize. 

The NTUCB further elaborated on the issue in 1975 when United States President, Jimmy Carter banned the sale of arms to Guatemala, but Israel stepped up to supply them. 

“Were it not for the intervention of Great Britain who immediately mobilized troops to defend Belize, Guatemala would have surely invaded Belize,” the statement says. 

After recent overwhelming condemnation of Israel in the United Nations General Assembly by 120 nations in favor including Belize and eight against including Guatemala, for their excessive use of force against Palestinian civilians, Guatemala later cemented relations with Israel. 

In April of this year, Durham City Council in North Carolina banned training between Durham police and Israeli authorities because Israeli’s forces brutalizes and terrorizes the people of Palestine. 

Furthermore, the NTUCB calls on Prime Minister Dean Barrow, the Cabinet and the National Assembly to end the training sessions. 

“We should not allow Israel to be privy to any intelligence and national security information on Belize, which they may pass on to Guatemala,” the statement said. 

NTUCB recommends that Belize capitalize on training from Commonwealth sister nations and other options.