Paris, October 16, 2026.- Cuba condemned Israeli aggression against the Gaza Strip before UNESCO’s Executive Board and denounced the destruction of civilian infrastructure, the forced displacement of the population and the grave humanitarian crisis facing the Palestinian people. The Cuban delegation called for an immediate end to the aggression and for a comprehensive, just and lasting solution that guarantees the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination.
Speaking during the consideration of the situation in Gaza and Palestine and its consequences in all areas within UNESCO’s mandate, Cuba’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the Organization, María del Carmen Herrera Caseiro, stated that it was unacceptable to remain silent in the face of the deaths of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians, including thousands of children, and the unprecedented destruction caused by Israel’s war machine.
The Cuban representative rejected the portrayal of the situation in Gaza simply as an armed conflict and denounced attacks against civilians, the almost total displacement of the population, forced transfers, the denial of humanitarian assistance and the destruction of hospitals, schools, universities, homes, historical and cultural heritage sites, and agricultural areas. In this context, she described what is happening in Gaza as genocide and a deliberate attempt at ethnic cleansing, which, she stressed, must be strongly condemned.
Cuba acknowledged UNESCO’s progress in implementing its Emergency Assistance Programme for Gaza, but warned that its continuation and effectiveness require not only the mobilization of the necessary funds, but also an immediate end to Israeli aggression. It also denounced the historical complicity of the Government of the United States through its unrestricted political, military and financial support for Israel.
The Ambassador reiterated that Cuba’s position is longstanding and clear: a comprehensive, just and lasting solution based on the establishment of two States is essential, allowing the Palestinian people to exercise their legitimate right to self-determination. She reaffirmed that the Palestinian people deserve to live in peace and that an end must be put to the suffering they have endured for years.
UNESCO, a specialized agency of the United Nations established in 1945, plays an essential role in protecting education, science, culture, and communication and information, particularly in contexts of crisis and conflict. Cuba, a Member State since 1947, reaffirms its commitment to multilateralism, the principles of the Charter of the United Nations and the protection of the rights of the Palestinian people.
The statement is reproduced below:
Mr. President,
It is unacceptable to remain silent in the face of the fierce Israeli aggression against Gaza, in the face of the deaths of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians, including thousands of children. It is equally unacceptable to remain silent in the face of the unprecedented destruction being wrought in Gaza by Israel’s powerful war machine.
Mr. President,
It is wrong to speak of an armed conflict when referring to the situation in Gaza. The atrocities committed by the Israeli army continue to cause civilian deaths, a catastrophic humanitarian crisis, the almost total displacement of the population, forced transfers, the denial of humanitarian assistance and the destruction of the remaining civilian infrastructure, including hospitals, schools, universities, homes, historical and cultural heritage sites, and agricultural areas.
What is happening in Gaza, Mr. President, is genocide, a deliberate attempt at ethnic cleansing, which must be strongly condemned.
Mr. President,
Cuba acknowledges the progress made by UNESCO in implementing its Emergency Assistance Programme for Gaza. However, the continuation and effectiveness of its implementation require, in addition to the mobilization of the necessary funds, an immediate end to Israeli aggression and to the historical complicity of the Government of the United States through its unrestricted political, military and financial support for Israel.
Mr. President,
Cuba’s position is longstanding and very clear: a comprehensive, just and lasting solution based on the establishment of two States is essential, one that allows the Palestinian people to exercise their legitimate right to self-determination.
The Palestinian people deserve peace, and an end must be put to the hell in which they have been living for years.
Thank you very much.