Statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs 

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cuba reiterates its deep concern over 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 prolonged 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 killing of civilians and innocent people of all parties involved in this conflict, regardless of ethnicity, nationality or religious faith and condemns in the strongest terms the killing of civilians, especially women, children and humanitarian workers of the United Nations system; as well as the indiscriminate shelling of the population in Gaza and the destruction of homes, hospitals and civilian 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 to Gaza.

Cuba calls for an end to the warmongering rhetoric and reaffirms its support for a comprehensive, just and lasting solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, based on the creation of two States, allowing 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 also guaranteeing the right of return of refugees.

The UN Security Council must fulfill its mandate and put an end to the impunity of Israel, the Occupying Power, in which the United States has historically been complicit, by repeatedly obstructing and vetoing the body's action, thus undermining peace, security and regional stability.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs calls for a prompt solution through negotiation to stop this escalation of violence and its very serious humanitarian consequences.

Havana, October 14, 2023

(source: Cubaminrex)