Vienna, May 18. – At today’s meeting of the Friends of Palestine Group in Vienna, solidarity with the Palestinian people and condemnation of the intensification of attacks against Cuba were central themes of the discussions.
During his opening remarks at the meeting, the Ambassador of the State of Palestine to Austria, Salah Abdel Shafi, outlined the magnitude of the genocide his people are suffering and the catastrophic humanitarian situation in the occupied territories. In his remarks, the Palestinian diplomat also noted how part of the world turns a blind eye to this situation and others, such as what is happening to Cuba in the face of the intensification of the U.S. blockade, particularly due to the executive orders of January 29 and May 1, which have further tightened the economic, commercial, and financial siege against the island.
For his part, the Cuban Ambassador to Austria, Pablo Berti Oliva, highlighted the historic solidarity of Cuba with the Palestinian cause, a principled stance maintained for decades. The Cuban diplomat also emphasized the historic position in support of the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination and noted how many turn a deaf ear to calls to end the injustices against this people. At the same time, he explained how attempts are being made to change the international order under the passive gaze of some, including those who remain silent on the escalation of aggression against their country.
The meeting of the Friends of Palestine Group served to coordinate actions to denounce these actions and reaffirm that international solidarity remains a powerful tool in the face of aggressive policies and violations of international law.
(EmbaCubaAustria)