Statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cuba reiterates its deep concern about the escalation of violence between Israel and Palestine, a consequence of decades of Israeli practices of illegal occupation and colonization, in flagrant violation of the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people in their own territory. , as well as the long-standing disrespect for the Purposes and Principles of the Charter of the United Nations and International Law, including numerous relevant UN resolutions.
The Ministry rejects, and has always rejected, the death of civilians and innocent people from all parties involved in this conflict, without differentiating ethnicity, nationality or religious faith and condemns in the strongest terms the murders of civilians, especially women, children and humanitarian workers of the United Nations system; as well as the indiscriminate bombings against the population in Gaza and the destruction of homes, hospitals and civil infrastructure, as well as the deprivation of water, electricity and fuel services to the population of Gaza, actions that constitute serious violations of International Humanitarian Law.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs urgently calls for a ceasefire and to immediately facilitate the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza.
Cuba demands the cessation of bellicose rhetoric and reaffirms its support for a broad, just and lasting solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, based on the creation of two States, which allows the exercise of the right to self-determination of the Palestinian people and the creation of an independent and sovereign Palestinian State within the pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital, and that also guarantees the right of return for refugees.
The UN Security Council must fulfill its mandate and end the impunity of Israel, the Occupying Power, with which the United States has historically been complicit by repeatedly obstructing and vetoing the body's action, thereby undermining the regional peace, security and stability.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs calls for the search for a prompt solution through negotiation that stops this escalation of violence and its very serious humanitarian consequences.
Havana, October 14, 2023