Cuban Minister of Foreign Affairs "condemns the indiscriminate bombing of the people of Gaza"

Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla at the press conference -- image via Twitter

The Communist Party of Cuba reports that the Cuban Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla, held a press conference on Thursday morning to condemn the "barbaric acts that are taking place today in the Gaza Strip and that shock the international community."

In the presence of journalists from the Cuban press and 57 correspondents from 32 foreign media accredited in Cuba, the Cuban foreign minister reiterated Cuba's solidarity of Cuba the Palestinian and Arab cause, while delving into other issues related to the impunity of the Israeli government, the complicity of the United States in the current situation, as well as the need for a profound reform of the actions of the Security Council of the United Nations General Assembly.

"Cuba strongly condemns the indiscriminate bombing of the people of Gaza, the destruction of homes, hospitals and the country's infrastructure. No one can justify these actions, which constitute punishment and a serious violation of international humanitarian law," Rodríguez Parrilla said.

The Cuban diplomat noted that the United Nations Security Council "has not even been able to make a call to stop the massacre," while the government of the United States vetoed Wednesday a proposal that demanded "a humanitarian pause in the confrontation to allow aid access to Gaza and guarantee the protection of civilians."

During the conference, Rodríguez Parrilla also addressed the impunity with which the Israeli government acts, which "can only be explained by its confidence in knowing that it does not have to be held accountable, the complicity of the U.S. government and its allies in NATO," he said.

"Not surprisingly, the U.S. has historically been complicit and responsible for the crimes perpetrated by Israel and has vetoed 46 resolutions related to issues about the Middle East, and especially the situation in Palestine," he said.

He reiterated Cuba's position which demands an urgent call for a ceasefire, that the U.S. government not continue to cover up Israel's excesses and requests emergency humanitarian aid to address the situation in Gaza.

Cuba has maintained that the current situation is the result of 75 years of illegal occupation. A comprehensive, just and lasting solution to the conflict requires the exercise of Palestine's right to self-determination and to build its own free, independent and sovereign State within the pre-1967 borders, as well as the establishment of its capital in East Jerusalem with guarantees for the return of refugees.

"Every moment of impunity, passivity, silence and double standards will cost more innocent lives in Palestine. We have to act immediately," Rodríguez Parrilla said.