In the wake of new, horrifying videos released by Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad showing Israeli hostages David Evyatar and Rom Braslavski in a state of severe emaciation, torture, and distress; the government of Jamaica is being called upon to take a decisive and public leadership role in the Caribbean’s response to this
humanitarian crisis.
“As a small nation, Jamaica’s strength has always been its moral clarity and its
commitment to truth on the world stage,” said Dr. Wayne West, Chairman of the
Jamaica Coalition for a Healthy Society (JCHS). “The videos of David Evyatar and
Rom Braslavski revealing the deliberate torture and mistreatment of these
individuals and all other hostages- are an affront to humanity. We cannot be silent
or selective in our approach. We must lead our fellow Caribbean nations in a loud
and clear demand for the release of all hostages and reject any diplomatic efforts
that reward this brutality.”
The recently released videos, which portray the young men as “living skeletons,”
are a stark and painful reminder of the hostages’ suffering. Jamaica must now use
its prominent voice to demand urgent action.
“The intentional suffering of these young men is a tragedy that transcends
politics,” said Dr Daniel Thomas, President of the Love March Movement. “Any
action that links the freedom of these innocent people to political concessions is
a grave error. Such a position only encourages further hostage-taking and
violence. Jamaica must stand for what is right and demand that the hostages be
returned home without delay. Jamaica should also reconsider recognition of
Palestine at this time. Such a move rewards terrorism, and hardens Hamas, which
has claimed that the prospect of statehood recognition is a “fruit of October 7.”
The international community’s response has been concerning. Attempts by some
nations, particularly Russia and France, to link hostage release to the
unconditional recognition of a Palestinian state are counterproductive. This
strategy, which incentivizes terror and emboldens groups like Hamas, only hinders
diplomatic efforts, and causes greater, prolonged suffering to all.
The Love March Movement (LMM) and the Jamaica Coalition for a Healthy Society
(JCHS) therefore call on the Government of Jamaica to leverage its respected
position to advocate for the immediate and unconditional release of all the
hostages, as well as the disarmament and surrender of Hamas and other terrorist
groups in Gaza.
We are,
Dr Daniel Thomas
Dr Wayne West
