A newly established advocacy organization named Liberation 9/21 is intensifying pressure on Belizean authorities to nullify a 2011 immigration provision that permits Israeli nationals visa-exempt entry for ninety-day periods. The group frames its campaign as a moral imperative rather than an administrative matter, citing United Nations documentation and human rights assessments that characterize Israeli military operations in Gaza as meeting international definitions of genocide.
Since initiating its petition drive in September, the movement has garnered 764 signatures, strategically timing its advocacy to coincide with Belize’s observance of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People on November 29th.
Dr. Dylan Vernon, representing Liberation 9/21, articulated the organization’s position: “Our foundational action represents solidarity with the Palestinian people. International bodies including the UN have documented approximately seventy thousand Palestinian casualties since Israel’s incursion into Gaza. While Israeli tourist numbers in Belize remain modest, the current visa waiver enables entry without proper vetting procedures.”
Vernon emphasized Israel’s compulsory military service requirement, suggesting visitors might include individuals who participated in Gaza operations. “We urge the government to eliminate this waiver, requiring visa applications that would enable proper screening. This aligns with Belize’s commitment to the 1948 Genocide Convention and the National Assembly’s 2021 solidarity resolution regarding Palestine. This action represents a logical progression in demonstrating our nation’s principled stance by preventing potential entry of those who may have facilitated genocide in Gaza.”