Chronology: Excerpts of Cuban Statements on Gaza-Palestine-Israel
October 8, 2023
Cuban Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cuba (MINREX)
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cuba reiterates its deep concern about the escalation of violence between Israel and Palestine, which is a consequence of decades of Israeli illegal occupation and colonization practices, in flagrant violation of the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people in its own territory, as well as the long-lasting disregard of the Purposes and Principles of the United Nations Charter and International Law, including numerous relevant UN resolutions.
“The Ministry rejects, and has always rejected, the death of civilians and innocent persons of all the parties involved in this conflict, regardless of their ethnic origin, nationality or religious creed; and strongly condemns the killing of civilians…The Ministry of Foreign Affairs urgently calls for a ceasefire and the immediate delivery of humanitarian assistance to Gaza.
“Cuba calls for an end to the belligerent rhetoric and reaffirms its support to a just, comprehensive and lasting solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict based on the creation of two States that would allow for the exercise of the right to free determination of the Palestinian people and the creation of an independent and sovereign Palestinian State on the basis of the pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital, that would equally ensure the right of return of refugees.”
October 9, 2023
From Statement from the Cuban Institute of Friendship With The Peoples (ICAP) and the Cuban-Arab Friendship Association in Solidarity With the Palestinian People (AACA):
“The Cuban Institute of Friendship with the Peoples and the Cuban-Arab Friendship Association reaffirm their solidarity with the Palestinian people and their ongoing support. For 75 years, the Palestinian people have faced, in an unequal struggle, the growing hostility of the Israeli state, which has sought to displace them from their own territory, disregarding United Nations Resolutions, and violating basic human rights…
“The Cuban Institute of Friendship with the Peoples and the Cuban-Arab Friendship Association embrace the steadfast position of our Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MINREX) and the entire Cuban people in seeking a comprehensive, just, and lasting solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict based on the creation of two states, enabling the Palestinian people to exercise their right to self-determination and to have an independent and sovereign state within the pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital…We extend our solidarity and unconditional support to our Palestinian brothers and sisters, whose cause we defend as our own.”
October 19, 2023
Remarks by Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez at Press Conference in Havana (from Prensa Latina News Agency)
“[Cuba] demands that the Government of the United States…not continue to paralyze the United Nations Security Council by using the undemocratic right of veto to protect the excesses of the Government of Israel. This demonstrates once again the profound reform that the United Nations needs…Furthermore, the impunity with which the Israeli regime acts can only be explained by its confidence that it will not be held accountable for the consequences of its actions and that it has the support of the Government of the United States and its allies.”
October 29, 2023
From Speech on National Cuban Television by Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel
“We will not accept any selective indignation that seeks to ignore the danger of the genocide that is being perpetrated against the Palestinians, portray the Israeli side as the victim, and ignore 75 years of aggression, occupation, violations, and exclusion…
“[N]othing can justify what the Israeli army is doing in Gaza, and nothing can justify the serious violations of international humanitarian law being committed…Israel violates all United Nations resolutions and all commitments imposed on it as an occupying power as stipulated in the Fourth Geneva Convention… [T]he Security Council was unable to call on Israel to stop the ongoing massacre, as the United States used the veto right. Those who oppose stopping the violence in Gaza today and refuse to consider it a matter of utmost priority will bear the grave consequences that will result from that…
“The comprehensive, just, and permanent solution to the conflict undoubtedly requires the real exercise of the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people and the establishment of their independent and sovereign state within the borders of pre-1967, with its capital in East al-Quds.
“Every moment of procrastination and passivity will cost the loss of more innocent lives, and action must be taken immediately.”
NOVEMBER 23, 2023
In one of the largest mass political mobilizations in years, tens of thousands of Cubans marched in solidarity with Palestinian freedom and self-determination on November 23, 2023.
“This march means a lot to us,” said Sami Sabala, a 26-year-old Palestinian medical student in Havana (one of 244?? studying to become doctors “It raises feelings … And it makes people feel that Palestine is not alone.” (As many as 224 Palestinians study medicine at the Latin America School of Medicine (ELAM) in Havana, 78 from the Gaza. Since 2005, some 104 Palestinian doctors have graduated from ELAM. ELAM graduates are on-the-ground working amidst the carnage from massive Israeli bombardment in Gaza.