In separate statements over the last two days the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Cuba and Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin of the People's Republic of China reiterated their calls for a ceasefire in Gaza, meaningful peace talks and a solution based on justice for the Palestinian people.
In this case of China this comes despite intense pressure from the United States to adopt its pro-Israel stance.
A just and lasting peace in the Middle East is an urgent need (translated from the Spanish):
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cuba reiterates its deep concern at the escalation of violence between Israel and Palestine, as a result 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 persons from all parties involved in this conflict, regardless of ethnicity, nationality or religious faith, and condemns in the strongest terms the killings of civilians, especially women, children and humanitarian workers of the United Nations system; as well as the indiscriminate bombardment 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 people of Gaza, actions that constitute serious violations of international humanitarian law.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs urgently calls for a ceasefire and the immediate facilitation of humanitarian aid into Gaza.
Cuba calls for the cessation of 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 for the exercise of the right to self-determination of the Palestinian people and the establishment of an independent and sovereign Palestinian State within the pre-1967 borders; with East Jerusalem as its capital, and to guarantee the right of return of refugees.
The UN Security Council must fulfill its mandate and end the impunity of Israel, the Occupying Power, in which the United States has historically been an accomplice, by repeatedly obstructing and vetoing the body's actions, thereby undermining regional peace, security and stability.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs calls for the search for a prompt solution through negotiation to stop this escalation of violence and its very serious humanitarian consequences.
Havana, October 14, 2023
On October 12, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC (Communist Party of China) Central Committee and Director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs Wang Yi talked with Celso Luiz Nunes Amorim, chief advisor of the Presidency of Brazil, on the phone with a focus on sharing views on the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.
Director Wang Yi noted that China is deeply saddened by the rising tension between Palestine and Israel and the huge civilian casualties. He said China opposes acts that harm civilians and condemns violations of international law. China calls on all parties to exercise restraint, de-escalate the situation on the ground as soon as possible and prevent further expansion of the conflict. The top priority is to ensure the safety of civilians, and open corridors for aid so as to avoid a severe humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Director Wang Yi pointed out that the Palestinian question is at the core of the Middle East issue. He said the crux of the issue is that justice has eluded the Palestinians for too long. The current conflict showed again in an extremely brutal way that solution to the Palestinian question lies in resuming genuine peace talks as soon as possible and realizing the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people. China calls for an international peace conference with greater authority and impact as soon as possible to galvanize a more broad-based international consensus with the two-state solution serving as its basis and formulate a timetable and roadmap to that end. The UN has the responsibility and obligation to play its due role on the Palestinian question. China supports the Security Council in holding an emergency meeting on the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, agrees that the meeting should focus on humanitarian concerns, demand a ceasefire, an end to violence and the protection of civilians, form a binding international consensus and take concrete next-steps. China will stay in contact and coordinate and cooperate closely with Brazil and relevant parties in this regard.
Amorim said that the key to resolving the conflict is to resume peace talks, and Brazil is ready to closely coordinate with China to work jointly to ease the situation.