Mr. President,
Yesterday, December 9, Day for the commemoration and dignity of the victims of the crime of genocide and its prevention, the world witnessed a reappearance of this scourge in the Palestinian territories.
Cuba condemns in the strongest terms the genocide that Israel, the occupying power, is committing today in Gaza.
Israeli bombings against the civilian population and against hospitals and health infrastructure constitute war crimes and crimes against humanity and have already cost thousands of lives, including health professionals, more than around a hundred humanitarian personnel and, according to recent reports, a WHO employee. . The aggression against Gaza must end and the Palestinian people must be allowed to exercise their self-determination.
Mr. President,
The current situation is the consequence of 75 years of illegal occupation and constant violation of the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people in their own territory.
The criminal impunity with which Israel, the occupying Power, acts can only be explained by its confidence that it will not be held responsible for its actions and that it enjoys the necessary support, as demonstrated by the shameful vetoes. of the United States to the Council. of security.
The international community cannot allow the loss of more innocent lives and the destruction of all health infrastructure in the occupied Palestinian territories. Action must be taken immediately. The world will follow the vote that will take place here today. The principle of humanity, the laws of international humanitarian law and the Geneva Conventions as well as the constitutional principles of the World Health Organization must prevail. We urge Executive Council members to act accordingly.
Thank you very much.