64 Years & Beyond: Israel and T&T

The Understanding Israel Foundation remains the on-the-ground bridge between Trinidad and Tobago and the uncontestable truth of Israel’s moral and inalienable right to self-defense…

The nations of Trinidad and Tobago and Israel have enjoyed relations since the very day of Trinidad and Tobago’s birth, with the State of Israel being one of six countries Trinidad and Tobago immediately entered into relations with on the day of its independence from the United Kingdom on August 31st, 1962. Though this friendship was often neglected on both sides over the past sixty-four years, today, both countries have re-committed to the relationship, and they herald a fresh reset to this deep, historical friendship.

As we reflect on the relationship between the two countries over the past year, we are buoyed by the genuinely warm reception the government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago under the leadership of Honorable Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has given to Israel, with notable gestures of friendship including:

1. The speedy credentialing of His Excellency Ambassador Mattanya Cohen, non-resident ambassador of the State of Israel to the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, and the warm reception Ambassador Cohen received when he arrived to Port of Spain on his first official visit in February, 2026;
2. The brave, principled and noble declaration by Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar’s government to designate the terrorist organizations of Hamas, Hezbollah and the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps as such, thereby outlawing any conscious or unconscious and guided or misguided fiscal and other cooperation with these terrorist entities;
3. The direct, warm and friendly phone conversation between the Minister of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs of Trinidad and Tobago, the Honorable Sean Sobers, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Israel, the Honorable Gideon Sa’ar in June, 2026;

4. 

   The warm welcome extended by Trinidad and Tobago to Ambassador Cohen on his second visit to the country where he accompanied Her Excellency Ambassador Eynat Shlein, the Director General of MASHAV, Israel’s Agency for International Developmental Cooperation, during their official visit between July 26 and 29, 2026 to explore areas of cooperation with Trinidad and Tobago;

5. The ministerial meetings which occurred between the Israeli Ambassadors and the Trinidadian government Ministers and Permanent Secretaries of Foreign and CAIRCOM Affairs; Health; Works and Infrastructure; Planning, Development and Economic Affairs; and representatives from the Ministry of Agriculture. We anticipate the implementation of high-priority projects and the gift of Israeli expertise, know-how and technology to alleviate the problems identified by the Ministries, institute new developmental initiatives for the betterment of all citizens of Trinidad and Tobago.

Truth, however, as we should know, is revealed through proper education and based on verifiable evidence: it does not exist in spaces which accept terrorist narratives, skewed casualty figures, twisted stories, AI photos, superficial slogans, trendy chants, glib memes and ten second videos. We know that the people and government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago hold themselves to a much higher standard of discernment…

As Trinidad and Tobago prepares to take its seat on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) as a non-permanent member, we believe Trinidad and Tobago will continue to stand for what is right, as opposed to gullibly falling prey to politicized agendas which push nefarious misinformation and outright lies about the State of Israel. These lies have been repeated so forcefully and so often that they have been alarmingly absorbed by many around the world and at every level as truth. Truth, however, as we should know, is revealed through proper education and based on verifiable evidence: it does not exist in spaces which accept terrorist narratives, skewed casualty figures, twisted stories, AI photos, superficial slogans, trendy chants, glib memes and ten second videos. We know that the people and government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago hold themselves to a much higher standard of discernment and that, as a nation, Trinidad and Tobago will enrich itself with a more sophisticated delve into understanding the reality of Israel’s existential threats. We know that Trinidadians will come to understand the maniacal and genocidal hostility emanating from barbaric enemies who are hellbent on Israel’s destruction; both enemies which attack Israel physically and those which use lies to undermine and delegitimize Israel in international institutions and in the minds of the less discerning. We know that Trinidadians will come to understand how twisted framings have grossly mispresented the reality of what is occurring and Israel’s role in all of it. This anchoring in truth-based education will determine Trinidad and Tobago’s defining moment at the UNSC in its 2027-2028 term. The Understanding Israel Foundation remains the on-the-ground bridge between Trinidad and Tobago and the uncontestable truth of Israel’s moral and inalienable right to self-defense, which many are unaware of or refuse to acknowledge. We continue to make the organization available to the citizenry and government, to present Israel’s perspective and to facilitate respectful and engaging dialogue.

We know also that all citizens of Trinidad and Tobago will internalize that the restructuring of Trinidad and Tobago’s foreign policy to incorporate a closer relationship with its first friend, Israel, is one which only benefits the citizens of Trinidad and Tobago. Israel’s history has demonstrated a staunch and fierce loyalty to its friends. Indeed, Israel also sends its expertise and help even to those who deny or are antagonistic to its existence and difficult realty. A very recent example occurred just next door to Trinidad and Tobago, when in June, 2026, Venezuela experienced a catastrophic earthquake. Despite having cut ties with Israel January, 2009, Israel was directly on the ground, recovering those trapped and administering assistance to the first responders in Venezuela.

Imagine then, how much Israel will willingly contribute to an ally and friend like Trinidad and Tobago?

Israel’s expertise has no limitations or boundaries. As the “Start-Up Nation”, Israel’s innovation, ingenuity and capabilities are world-renowned. All of Israel’s success and know-how will be readily and gladly shared with Trinidad and Tobago, within the context of the reset of relations and the historical friendship which exists between the two countries. This will be given as readily as in the past; Trinidadians must not forget that Israel supported Trinidadian independence efforts in 1962 – bestowing this support freely and without any strings or conditions. Trinidad must also not forget the gift of the Jerusalem Bible, sent by Prime Minister David ben Gurion to Port of Spain on August 30, 1962, which was inscribed with a warm welcome “to the family of nations” one full day before Trinidad and Tobago declared independence. This, then, makes Israel the first country in the world to recognize Trinidad and Tobago as an independent, sovereign nation.

For citizens of Trinidad and Tobago today, the deepening of ties with Israel has only one result: abundant, practical benefits, to be enjoyed by the citizenry and securing their prosperous future. Increased sharing of Israeli innovation will propel the country’s agriculture and technology sectors, enhance its medical prowess, open new avenues of diversification and forex, create new educational and research and development opportunities, strength the economy as a whole and position Trinidad and Tobago as the powerhouse of the Caribbean and Latin America. Political tides may ebb and flow; but the deepened ties between the State of Israel and the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago will endure.

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As we approach the of the Jewish year, the Understanding Israel Foundation – on behalf of its members and the people of Trinidad and Tobago – wishes the world’s Jewish community and the State of Israel a sweet new year; may you be renewed for only good and may you, your families and your communities continue to be blessed. May the new year bring much needed change and peace. And may this glorious new era of Trinidad and Tobago-Israel relations and friendship bring bountiful blessings to the citizens of both countries.

Shana tova u’metuka.

Happy and sweet Jewish new year.