ICJ decision on South Africa vs. Israel draws broad support Ambassador Curtis A. Ward (02 February 2024) — While some may argue that the provisional decision of the International Court of Justice (the Court or ICJ) did not go far enough in this provisional decision, I am of the view that it was a smart decision. Support for the Court’s decision is broad-based. In its provisional decision, the Court inferred that acts of genocide were occurring in Gaza by the Israeli government, but...
Corruption, the thief in the night Ambassador Curtis A. Ward (29 January 2024) — Governments and private enterprises that engage in corrupt practices reduce resources available for the public good. That is why everyone should be concerned. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) describes corruption as “a complex social, political and economic phenomenon that affects all countries. Corruption undermines democratic institutions, slows economic development and contributes to...
Policing Corruption in Jamaica Ambassador Curtis A. Ward (15 January 2024) — The current review of the laws governing the Integrity Commission (IC) now under review by Jamaica’s parliament appears to be for the wrong reasons. So far, the perception is that the legislators, some of whom are hellbent on weakening the IC, are engaging in a process to shield corrupt politicians and high-level government officials from scrutiny and accountability. By extending immunity to those who should be...
Is Democracy Worth Fighting For? Ambassador Curtis A. Ward (01 January 2024) –– My concern about preserving democracy is fundamental to the freedoms and the rights to which all of humanity are entitled. I reiterate my several messages and warnings on the challenges to democracy as my primary entreaty for 2024. The freedoms and rights I wish for all are only possible in democratic systems of government. Please do not confuse possibility with realization. There are complexities in all...
When Patterson Speaks, We Listen Ambassador Curtis Ward (21 November 2023) –We are living in a period of complex and challenging times. The entire global landscape is experiencing geopolitical and security instability. There is hardly any issue that is entirely local, and every issue is interconnected to varying degrees to competing geopolitical interests, global economic realities, or international security. No country can ignore the competing interests of the most powerful countries...
Jamaica’s ‘Not voting’ Shame at the UN Ambassador Curtis A. Ward (29 October 2023) — The responsibilities of states to formulate policies, their representatives at the United Nations in New York to execute such policy, requires continuous consultations between the UN Permanent Missions and their respective ministries of foreign affairs, or with the agency of government to which each country’s UN Mission reports. These are appropriate and necessary functions of the respective parts...
Israel-Hamas war could be catalyst for two-state solution Ambassador Curtis A. Ward (10/21/2023) — The ongoing Israel-Hamas war is already the deadliest in decades for both Israelis and Palestinians. In response to Hamas’s deadly attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023, indiscriminately killing Israeli civilians, including women, children, and the elderly, the taking of hostages across the border into Israel, and destroying Israeli civilian infrastructure, the ultra-right Netanyahu-led...
Biden’s options in the Israel-Hamas War Ambassador Curtis A. Ward (15 October 2023) — The situation in the Middle East, particularly the Palestinian question and Israel’s resistance to a two-state solution and the rights of displaced Palestinians to return to their homeland, has been inherited by successive U.S. presidents. Lack of progress, and often reverse of forward steps advancing peace, has been determined mostly by the ideological determinants of the government in Israel...
Israel’s ultimate response to Hamas could go very wrong Ambassador Curtis A. Ward (12 October 2023) — The broad-based empathy, in the aftermath of Hamas’s October 7th attack, with the people of Israel could quickly erode if Israel’s response is one of mere vengeance devoid of rationality. While applauded by some, Israel’s scorched earth and indiscriminate bombings of Gaza, as Palestinian civilian casualties rise, could see change from the broad support of Israel’s...
Terrorism by any standard Ambassador Curtis A. Ward (10 October 2023) — There will be several perspectives, analyses, and conclusions about Hamas’ attack on Israel. Many will be hard pressed not to include the Palestinian cause as the raison d’être for Hamas’ actions. Others will blame Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s long-held animosity and policies, his history of suppression and denial of the rights of the Palestinians, and more recent actions against West Bank...
