By George Swarei
On October 12, 1979, Cuban revolutionary leader Fidel Castro, then president of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), addressed the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
In his speech, he stated, “From the bottom of our souls, we repudiate with all our strength the ruthless persecution and genocide that Nazism unleashed against the Jewish people in their time. But I cannot remember anything more similar in our contemporary history than the eviction, persecution, and genocide carried out today by imperialism and Zionism against the Palestinian people.”
Fidel Castro’s speech during the 1979 summit underscored the importance of addressing the Israeli-Palestinian conflict within the context of the Non-Aligned Movement’s principles of independence, sovereignty, and solidarity among nations.
His words resonated not only with the attendees of the summit but also with the broader international community, reflecting Cuba’s longstanding commitment to advocating for justice and equality in global affairs.
45 years later, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict persists, and the consequences have been severe, with loss of life.
Calls continue for Israel to halt its aggressive approach and grant Palestine independence and sovereignty.
In a poignant display of solidarity echoing Fidel Castro’s sentiments, the Cuban Ambassador Yenielys Vilma Regueiferos Linares and a delegation of Cuban Medical Brigades serving in Zimbabwe visited the Palestinian Embassy in Harare.
The Cuban delegation conveyed a message of hope to the Palestinians and condemned Israel for its aggressive approach, which has resulted in significant loss of life.
Palestinian Ambassador to Zimbabwe Dr. Tamer Almassri welcomed the delegation and emphasized the gravity of the Israeli onslaught in his remarks, denouncing the indifference of Western powers towards the ongoing genocide.
Dr. Almassri highlighted the mainstream media’s skewed portrayal, which often portrays perpetrators as victims while demonizing Palestinian resistance. He lauded Cuba’s unwavering support for Palestine, tracing back to Fidel Castro’s understanding of the Arab world and his relationships with key leaders and resistance movements.
Cuban Ambassador Regueiferos reaffirmed Cuba’s historic policy of supporting the Palestinian cause and advocating for a peaceful solution. She cited Cuba’s active involvement in international forums and resolutions supporting Palestinian rights, including denunciations of Israel’s use of prohibited weapons.
This solidarity comes amidst widespread support in Cuba, where thousands gathered in Havana to express outrage over Israel’s attacks in Gaza. President Miguel Diaz-Canel and his Cabinet attended the demonstration, condemning the relentless bombing of Gaza and demanding an end to impunity for Israeli actions.
President Canel underscored the urgency of the situation, calling Gaza “the world’s largest open-air prison and condemning the hypocrisy of the United States’ stance on the conflict”.
He reiterated Cuba’s unwavering support for Palestine, declaring, “Cuba will never remain indifferent to these crimes, and Cubans are marching for a better world.”