Cuba demands expedited UN efforts to end Israeli-led genocide in Gaza

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
10 Jan 2024 15:31
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Cuba calls on the United Nations to expedite efforts to end Israeli massacres in the Gaza Strip, and condemns US complicity with the occupation in its war.

Cuba's President Miguel Díaz-Canel addresses the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Tuesday, September 19, 2023. (AP)

Cuba has urged the United Nations' General Assembly to expedite efforts to end the ongoing Israeli genocide of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, which has been ongoing for over 95 days.

In a post on X, Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel condemned the "repeated use of the veto by the US in the UN Security Council, to prevent the end of Israel's genocide against the Palestinian people," stressing "It is urgent to accelerate the efforts of the international community to stop the massacre in Gaza."

#Cuba condenó hoy en debate en #AGNU uso reiterado de veto por parte de EEUU en Consejo de Seguridad ONU, para evitar que se ponga fin al genocidio de Israel contra el pueblo palestino.

Urge acelerar los esfuerzos de la comunidad internacional para detener la masacre en Gaza. pic.twitter.com/YrCMrb8nYK
— Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez (@DiazCanelB) January 9, 2024

In turn, Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez reiterated on his X account the President's statement, adding that the US veto has "hindered immediate cease fire & the delivery of humanitarian aid in Gaza," emphasizing that "with US complicit behavior, Israel perpetuates genocide against the Palestinian people.

At today's #UNGA's debate, #Cuba denounced shameful US veto at the UN Security Council which has hindered immediate cease fire & the delivery of humanitarian aid in Gaza.

With US complicit behavior, Israel perpetuates genocide against the Palestinian people. pic.twitter.com/8AgdW6HRG0
— Bruno Rodríguez P (@BrunoRguezP) January 9, 2024

Cuba: Nothing justified collective punishment of Palestinian people

Similarly, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Permanent Representative of Cuba to the United Nations, Gerardo Peñalver Portal, stated during his intervention before the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) this Tuesday that a ceasefire is a priority to stop the Israeli genocide in the Gaza Strip.

"Nothing justifies the collective punishment that the Palestinian people are currently undergoing, in flagrant violation of International Humanitarian Law," the Cuban permanent representative to the UN insisted.

The complicity of Washington with "Israel" is evident. Not only does it obstruct decision-making in the Security Council, but it also supplies and replenishes the war machinery that massacres the Palestinian people, he said.

En reunión d la Asamblea General d @ONU_es para abordar reciente veto d #EEUU en el CS sobre la cuestión palestina, insistí en llamado d #Cuba al cese al fuego inmediato para detener el genocidio en curso vs población palestina en #Gaza. Prevalezca la humanidad sobre la barbarie! pic.twitter.com/tHIkZfLtKC
— Gerardo Peñalver Portal (@GerardoPPortal) January 9, 2024

Peñalver emphasized the need for a ceasefire given the catastrophic conditions for the civilian population, stating, "Otherwise, the international community will be a passive witness to the extermination of the Palestinian people."

The Cuban deputy minister condemned the killings of civilians, especially children, women, and humanitarian workers from the UN. He also denounced indiscriminate bombings, the destruction of homes, hospitals, and civilian infrastructure, as well as the deprivation of water, food, electricity, and fuel services to the Palestinian people.

He reaffirmed Cuba's willingness to contribute to legitimate international efforts to end the current situation.

Cuban Parliament approves declaration in solidarity with Palestine

On December 20, the Cuban Parliament unanimously approved a declaration of solidarity with the Palestinian people, condemning the Israeli occupation's crimes.

During the Second Ordinary Session of the National Assembly of People's Power, in its 10th Legislature - in the presence of General Raul Castro and the President of the Republic, Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermudez - the representatives approved a statement in which they condemned the genocide against the Palestinian people, highlighting the failure of the current international system to prevent the cessation of the Israeli massacres against the Palestinian people.

The statement condemned the attacks carried out by the occupation against hospitals, schools, refugee camps, the United Nations' Centers, buildings, homes, and other civilian infrastructure, in addition to depriving the Gaza Strip of water, food, electricity, and preventing the arrival of humanitarian aid.