CubaMinrex. Sitio del Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores de Cuba

Statement by Ambassador Pedro Núñez Mosquera, Permanent Representative of Cuba to the United Nations, at the Security Council open debate on “The situation in the Middle East, including the question of Palestine”. New York, 21 April 2011.

Mr. President,

Cuba supports the statement made by the representative of Egypt on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement.

The situation in the region, particularly in the occupied Palestinian territory, including Jerusalem, continues to be lamentable.

The situation in the Gaza Strip is unsustainable. Cuba is deeply concerned over the increasing deterioration of the situation due to the escalation of the military offensive by Israel in recent months. A cease-fire is urgently needed. 

The flagrant and deliberate violation by Israel of the rules of the humanitarian international law against the civilian population of Gaza is unacceptable. The international community must take all possible practical measures to end this situation, and prevent the indiscriminate bombings by Israel against Palestinian towns.

         Cuba calls once more for Israel to lift, in an immediate, unconditional, and complete manner, the cruel and illegal blockade on Gaza, and to allow the free circulation of supplies since and to the Gaza Strip, as well as a permanent humanitarian access.

         Mr. President,

Cuba condemns the settlement activities in the occupied Palestinian territory, including in East Jerusalem.

We demand the immediate cease of the demolition of Palestinian houses, the construction of the Wall, and the eviction of Palestinian families in East Jerusalem, as well as other acts of incitement, provocations and illegal aggressions carried out by extremist settlers against the Palestinian people and holy sites.

These Israeli measures and policies constitute grave and flagrant violations of the International Law, the Charter of the United Nations, numerous General Assembly and Security Council resolutions, as well as the Advisory Opinion of the International Court of Justice of 9 July 2004.

         The Security Council cannot remain indifferent to these facts. Cuba regrets that the veto recently exercised by one of the Security Council members did not allow the adoption of a resolution condemning the settlements and demanding the end of these policies. The silence of the Council over the past years on this matter has been used by Israel to pursuit these illegal policies.

     The widespread physical, economic, and social devastation caused by the illegal and destructive colonization practices is the main obstacle to a peace agreement. In practical terms, the settlement policy prevents the creation of a Palestinian State on the basis of the borders existing in 1967, and therefore, the possibility of a just solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Mr. President,

         Cuba reaffirms that any measure or action taken or to be taken by Israel with a view to altering the legal, physical, and demographic status and institutional structure of the occupied Syrian Golan, as well as Israeli measures to exercise jurisdiction and administration in that territory are null, void and has no legal effect.

We also reaffirm that all such measures and actions, including the illegal construction and expansion of Israeli settlements in the Syrian Golan since 1997, constitute violations of the International Law and agreements, the Charter and resolutions of the United Nations, including Security Council resolution 497 (1981), and the Fourth Geneva Convention, and constitute a defiance of the international community. Cuba demands Israel’s full withdrawal from the occupied Syrian Golan to the borders of 4 June 1967.

Mr. President,

         It is imperative that a peace agreement be achieved this year, in accordance with relevant resolutions, the Madrid principles, and the Arab Peace Initiative.

We have witnessed the growing international recognition of the Palestinian State based on the borders of 1967. We hope September 2011 will be the proper time to finally achieve this objective.

Once more, Cuba reiterates its position in favor of a just and lasting peace for all peoples of the Middle East, which will put an end to the occupation of all the Arab territories occupied by Israel since 1967, and guarantee the exercise of self-determination of the Palestinian people by establishing an independent State of Palestine, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

         Thank you