Dear Co-Chairs, Dear Colleagues,
Thank you for convening this meeting. We appreciate this opportunity to discuss the eight working groups of the conference.
Achieving peace in the Middle East requires a just solution to the Palestinian question. The Israeli government is trying to prevent this by all means, including destroying the State of Palestine to annul the creation of two states.
In this regard, we consider it essential that the Round Tables and the Conference take the following into account:
- First, the immediate and unconditional admission of Palestine as a member state of the United Nations is an essential step toward a definitive solution to the conflict, as well as for Palestine to occupy its long-overdue place in the organization.
- During the conference, we must address the Palestinians' legitimate aspirations to live in peace in their homeland, exercise their right to self-determination, and establish an independent, sovereign state within the pre-1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital. This state must also guarantee the right of return for refugees.
- The actions we take during the conference must aim to put an end to crimes against humanity, collective punishments, apartheid, and genocide against our Palestinian brothers, as well as Israeli colonization practices, plans, and actions aimed at the forced displacement of Palestinians. The extermination of this noble people must stop immediately.
- The attacks on essential civilian infrastructure and the blockade of all humanitarian supplies in recent months qualify as war crimes and cannot go unpunished.
- Concrete actions by the Security Council are urgently needed to stop the genocide in Gaza, allow sufficient and unrestricted delivery of humanitarian aid to Palestinians, and guarantee the vital work of UNRWA.
- Decisive action is needed to resume the ceasefire urgently.
- We emphasize that any recovery and reconstruction plan must address the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people, including their right to return and self-determination.
Cuba will continue to contribute to all legitimate international efforts that promote a just, comprehensive, and lasting solution to the conflict in the Middle East. We hope that holding this conference will contribute to progress toward a two-state solution.
Thank you