Venezuela and Cuba condemn Israel's massacre in Gaza

Dear friends,
please find below a statement issued by President Hugo Chavez of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela condemning Israel's brutal attacks on Gaza and the massacre of more than 400 Palestinians.

Venezuela, under the leadership of Hugo Chavez and the Bolivarian revolution, has consistently come out in support of the oppressed around the world. In 2006, Chavez was the only world leader to recall his country's ambassador from Israel in response to Israel brutal aerial war against the Lebanese people, which resulted in more than 1000 being killed and thousands more injured. Chavez and the Bolivarian revolution government were also one of the first countries in the world to recognise the democratic vote of the Palestinian people in 2006 and have repeatedly spoken out in support of Palestine and taken concrete action to support the struggle of the Palestinian people and others in the region suffering under the imperialist actions of Israel and the USA.

For more information on Venezuela's solidarity with Palestine, please read Venezuela's support for Palestine: A model for third world diplomacy By Nikhil Shah, which appeared in ZMag and has been republished on this blog in October 2008.

If you are interested in finding out more about the Venezuelan revolution you can visit the following webpages:

http://www.venezuelanalysis.com/
http://www.directaction.org.au
http://latinamericasolidarity.org/

Cuba has also issued a statement condemning the massacre, please find below, a news item about their statement on Prensa Latina.

In solidarity,
Kim
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Statement delivered by the Ministry of People's Power for Foreign Affairs Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela

Statement

The President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, Hugo Chávez, on behalf of the Bolivarian government, and as spokesmen of the Venezuelan people, wants to express his deep indignation before the criminal attack Israel perpetrated against the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip.

In this sense, the Bolivarian government expresses its solidarity to the Palestinian people and it raises its voice before the international community in order to launch a massive rejecting campaign before these terrible and violent actions; through which they try to eliminate the life expectancy of an entire people.

The only government of the world that has been an accessory to this attack has been the U.S. government. And the statements issued by its spokesmen, Gordon Jhondroe, are astonishing, since he said the only way to stop violence in the region is by stopping attacks against Israel.

This action could be the invariable "hallmark" of the criminal administration of the outgoing government of the United States; a dying term of office full of violence, which is known worldwide for its persistent disrespect of human rights.

The government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela calls on those countries loving peace and justice to raise its protesting voices against this aggression. It also urges the United Nations Organization to exert its authority and impose the numerous resolutions adopted in favour of the Palestinian people and against the State violence practiced by Israel Government. This is the only way to guarantee a lasting peace and the end of these facts, which are absolutely against the United Nations Charter and other international regulations.

Ministry of People's Power for Foreign Affairs / Miraflores Presidential Palace, December 27, 2008

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Cuba Condemns Israel Bloodshed in Gaza

Havana, Dec 28 (Prensa Latina) Cuba has strongly condemned Israel massive airstrikes on the Gaza Strip that have left 200 Palestinians dead and hundreds of other wounded.

In a statement issued in Havana, the Cuban Revolutionary Government called criminal the Israeli military operation, terming it as "the bloodiest attack Israel has ever launched against the Palestinian people".

The text notes such air raids are taking place amidst the illegal blockade the Israeli government has enforced on the Gaza Strip over the last 18 months, with the aim of surrendering Palestinian, including children, women and elderly, by hunger and diseases.

Cuba strongly condemns this genocidal act by the Israeli government which violates the main principles of International Law and the United National Charter, added the text.

The Cuban government also urges the international community to condemn the massacre and to request an immediate end for the attacks against the Palestinian civil population.

Cuba reiterates its unswerving solidarity and support for the heroic and long-suffering Palestinian people.