YouSaid · the spoken record

Benitez Verson

lines on the record
43
first
2006-06-30
most recent
2011-07-26
sittings or episodes
6
sources
un-security-council

Every line below is reproduced as it was said and linked to the record it came from. Nothing here is summarised or generated. Directory · Search · Corrections

  1. “Cuba reiterates its position in favour of a just, lasting and comprehensive peace for all the peoples of the Middle East region that would put an end to the occupation of all Arab territories occupied by Israel since 1967 and guarantee the exercise of self- determination by the Palestinian people through the establishment of an independent and sovereign State of Palestine, with East Jerusalem as its capital.”

    2011-07-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6590 (2011) · source

  2. “We reiterate that all of these unilateral measures and actions, including the illegal construction and expansion of Israeli settlements in the Syrian Golan since 1967, constitute violations of international law, international agreements, the relevant resolutions and the Charter of the United Nations, and the Fourth Geneva Convention. Cuba calls on Israel to fully withdraw from the occupied Syrian Golan to the borders of 4 June 1967. In conclusion, Cuba is confident that the growing recognition by many countries of the Palestinian State on the basis of the 1967 borders will generate a fresh impetus and pave the way for a lasting solution to the conflict.”

    2011-07-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6590 (2011) · source

  3. “Cuba believes that it is possible to find a short- term peaceful solution. The Palestinian Authority has been working hard in the past few months, and many States have responded positively to the call to recognize the Palestinian State. Cuba urges those States that have not yet done so to recognize, as soon as possible, the Palestinian State on the basis of the pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital. Cuba reaffirms that all of the measures and actions taken, or to be taken, by Israel aimed at altering the legal, physical or demographic condition and the institutional structure of the occupied Syrian Golan are null, void and without legal effect.”

    2011-07-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6590 (2011) · source

  4. “Cuba supports all legitimate efforts aimed at reaching a just solution to this conflict and at the creation and recognition of a Palestinian State. The Security Council cannot remain passive on the question of Palestine. There is no other conflict more threatening to international peace and security. Yet the Council continues to fail to take action. The United States veto of every draft resolution introduced on this issue has made the Security Council into a hostage of the domestic policy of one of its members. The threat of veto remains a sword of Damocles over the most powerful, and yet the most antidemocratic, international body of the multilateral system. This situation is unacceptable and must change, failing which the impunity with which the Government of Israel acts in the occupied Palestinian territory will increase.”

    2011-07-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6590 (2011) · source

  5. “The Government of Israel must lift, immediately, unconditionally and completely, the cruel and illegal blockade on Gaza and allow for the free circulation of supplies from and to the Gaza Strip, as well as permanent humanitarian access. The creation of two States living peacefully side by side, with recognized borders, is not merely wishful thinking. Palestinians have long been owed a solution enabling the creation of their State, with East Jerusalem as its capital. Similarly, the question of its refugees must be resolved in accordance with General Assembly resolution 181 (II). However, the Government of Israel continues to hinder the resolution of the conflict, while the country that is supposed to guarantee the peace process has not showed the required political will to give that process the necessary impetus.”

    2011-07-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6590 (2011) · source

  6. “Mr. Benitez Verson (Cuba) (spoke in Spanish): Cuba associates itself fully with the statement made by the representative of Egypt on behalf of the Movement of Non-Aligned Countries. The situation in the Middle East, particularly in the occupied Palestinian territory, remains alarming. The tremendous physical, economic and social devastation caused by the illegal and destructive colonization practices carried out in the occupied Palestinian territories represents the main obstacle to the achievement of a peace agreement. The settlement policy is preventing the creation of a Palestinian State on the basis of the 1967 borders and, consequently, the possibility of a just solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Cuba is deeply concerned about the serious situation in the Gaza Strip.”

    2011-07-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6590 (2011) · source

  7. “The Security Council must urgently act in response to those dangerous illegal measures taken by Israel, which are geared to hindering and negating peace initiatives in order to continue to consolidate its illegitimate occupation of Palestinian territory and de facto to annex more Palestinian territories. I wish to conclude by restating once more Cuba's position in support of a just and lasting peace for all the peoples of the Middle East, one that puts an end to the occupation of all Arab territories occupied by Israel in 1967 and that guarantees the exercise of the self- determination of the Palestinian people through the establishment of the independent State of Palestine, with East Jerusalem as its capital.”

    2010-07-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6363Resumption1 (2010) · source

  8. “The enormous physical, economic and social devastation caused by those illegal and destructive settlement practices profoundly impairs the peace process and may jeopardize the outcome for an agreement on the final status of Jerusalem. Such measures and policies undertaken by Israel constitute grave and flagrant violations of international law, of the United Nations Charter, of many United Nations resolutions, including Council resolution 497 (1981), of the Fourth Geneva Convention, and of the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice of 9 July 2004.”

    2010-07-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6363Resumption1 (2010) · source

  9. “The international community, including the Security Council, must demand that Israel comply with its international obligations. Israel's settlement activities in the occupied territories, even after the partial and temporary moratorium announced in November 2009 have continued unabated. At present, more than 3,700 dwellings are being built, and more than 200 Palestinian dwellings have been demolished in order for those illegal activities to proceed. Cuba expresses its profound concern at that continuing Israeli demolition of Palestinian dwellings and eviction of Palestinian families in East Jerusalem, as well as other illegal acts of incitement, provocation and aggression carried out by extremist settlers against the Palestinian population and the Holy Sites. That now makes the situation very volatile and dangerous.”

    2010-07-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6363Resumption1 (2010) · source

  10. “Cuba condemns the criminal attack perpetrated by the special forces of Israel in the early hours of 31 ay against a flotilla of boats in international waters, delivering humanitarian aid to the Palestinian people living in the Gaza Strip, causing the death and injury of a number of members of that flotilla. Likewise, Cuba supports the request of the Human Rights Council for the immediate carrying out, under the auspices of the United Nations Secretary-General, of a full, impartial, credible, transparent and independent international investigation into the Israeli attack on the humanitarian maritime convoy. Israel cannot be allowed to continue to commit grave and flagrant violations of international law with impunity.”

    2010-07-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6363Resumption1 (2010) · source

  11. “The imposition by Israel of road blocks and restrictions on the freedom of movement and on access of persons and goods, including humanitarian and medical supplies, have made the recovery and reconstruction of the area virtually impossible and have compounded even further the already precarious standard of living of the population. Cuba reiterates its demand that Israel immediately, fully and unconditionally lift the cruel and illegal blockade of Gaza in order to allow for the free movement of supplies as well as permanent humanitarian access.”

    2010-07-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6363Resumption1 (2010) · source

  12. “Mr. Benitez Verson (Cuba) (spoke in Spanish): At the outset, I should like to express the Cuban delegation's satisfaction at seeing you, Madam, preside over the Security Council and to commend you for the manner in which and your team have led the work of this organ this month. I also affirm Cuba's full support for the statement made by the representative of Egypt on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement. The situation in the Middle East remains complex and characterized by continued instability and insecurity. The ongoing illegal Israeli occupation of Palestinian and other Arab territories remains the principal obstacle to a just and lasting peace in the region. The international community cannot stand idly by in the face of the untenable situation in the Gaza Strip.”

    2010-07-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6363Resumption1 (2010) · source

  13. “The State Department, in addition to these unjust sentences, has for 10 years denied visas to the wives of two of the men, Gerardo Hernandez and Rene' Gonzalez, depriving them of the right to a visit, which even the worst criminals have. Justice will be served sooner rather than later. The true terrorists will be condemned and the five will return to their homeland. I would like to conclude by making a new appeal to the Security Council to consider Cuba's accusations and take the appropriate action. Such shameful behaviour by a member of the Security Council, as powerful as it may be, cannot be allowed to so seriously affect the credibility of this body.”

    2008-11-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6015 (2008) · source

  14. “Despite that, they were arrested and were subjected to an unfair and politicized trial in Miami, with its well-known atmosphere of violence and intimidation with respect to anything related to Cuba. They faced baseless charges without evidence, which were never proven. The trials of the five were publicly questioned by the United States National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, the American Association of Jurists and international legal bodies. The Human Rights Council's Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, which is composed of independent experts, after examining the case for two years, declared that the arrests were arbitrary and urged the United States Government to take the measures necessary to correct that arbitrary act. However, the five remain political prisoners in high-security prisons in the United States.”

    2008-11-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6015 (2008) · source

  15. “The Government of the United States is trying to prevent Posada Carriles from speaking out in public about the terrorist acts that he committed against Cuba, Venezuela and other countries while acting under the orders of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) for more than 20 years. I would like to respond briefly to the comments by the representative of the United States on the imprisonment in that country of five Cuban individuals who were fighting against terrorism. The United States Government knows full well that none of "the Cuban five", as they are known throughout the world, threaten the national security of the United States. On the contrary, they were carrying out a mission to monitor terrorist plans organized from Florida against Cuba that endangered the lives of not only Cuban citizens but of United States citizens as well.”

    2008-11-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6015 (2008) · source

  16. “Why, while having all of the elements needed to try him as a terrorist, does the United States Government only accuse Posada Carriles of lesser immigration offences? Why has the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services of the Department of Homeland Security not used the measures at its disposal to keep the terrorist in prison? Instead, Posada Carriles is now walking freely through the streets of Miami. Why has the Government of the United States completely ignored the request presented, in conformity with all the necessary requirements, by the Government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela? For Cuba, the answer is very clear.”

    2008-11-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6015 (2008) · source

  17. “Rather, they dealt with the case as a simple illegal immigration matter and thus they guaranteed the terrorist's protection and release, which finally took place on 8 May oflast year. The United States Government knows full well that Posada Carriles is not a mere illegal immigrant. They have all of the evidence and information that prove his guilt for the explosion of the Cubana Aviacion aeroplane in flight close to the coast of Barbados, which claimed the lives of 73 innocent people. They also know that Posada prepared and led a series of terrorist acts in 1997, using explosive devices against hotels in Havana, among many other repugnant actions taken by him in his long career. There are many questions that the United States representative did not answer and never will.”

    2008-11-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6015 (2008) · source

  18. “What the representative of the United States did not say is that the terrorist was detained only after months had gone by during which the United States authorities denied his presence in United States territory, despite the repeated public complaints by President Fidel Castro on the matter. Only when the press published interviews with Posada, including front-page photographs showing him enjoying the Miami sun, did they have no alternative but to arrest him. It is also true, as the representative of the United States said, that Posada Carriles was submitted to a criminal trial in this country. What she did not say was that at no time did the authorities try Posada for his terrorist actions.”

    2008-11-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6015 (2008) · source

  19. “Mr. Benitez Verson (Cuba) (spoke in Spanish): I have requested the floor in order to respond to the comments that have just been made by the representative of the United States. What is unjustifiable cannot be justified. It has been claimed that her country has taken legal actions with respect to the case of Posada Carriles. The reality is that the Government of the United States has gone to truly shameful extremes to protect the most famous terrorist in the Western Hemisphere. It is true that Posada Carriles was detained by United States immigration authorities on 17 May 2005.”

    2008-11-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6015 (2008) · source

  20. “I wish to conclude by expressing the Movement's hope that current efforts will bring an end to the occupation of all the Arab territories occupied by Israel since 1967 and that remain under its occupation, namely the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem, and the occupied Syrian Golan, and that they will lead to the establishment of the independent State of Palestine, with East Jerusalem as its capital, as well as to a just solution of the question of the refugees on the basis of General Assembly resolution 194 (III). The Non-Aligned Movement reaffirms its support for the Middle East peace process, on the basis of Security Council resolutions 242 (1967), 338 (1973), 425 (1978), 1397 (2002) and 1515 (2003) and the principle of land for peace.”

    2008-07-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5940 (2008) · source

  21. “We also reaffirm that all these measures and actions, including the illegal construction and expansion of Israeli settlements in the Syrian Golan since 1967, constitute violations of international law, international agreements, the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions including Security Council resolution 497 (1981) and the Fourth Geneva Convention, and are a challenge to the international community. The Movement demands that Israel abide by resolution 497 (1981) and withdraw completely from the occupied Syrian Golan to the borders of 4 June 1967.”

    2008-07-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5940 (2008) · source

  22. “The Movement also welcomes the decision to continue the national dialogue on ways to reinforce the authority of the State over all its territories, in such a way as to guarantee the sovereignty and the security of the State and the people of Lebanon. The Movement also welcomes the agreement to ban the use of weapons and violence as means to settle disputes, irrespective of their nature and under any circumstances. The NAM. reaffirms that all measures and action taken or to be taken by Israel which purport to alter the legal, physical and demographic condition or institutional structure of the occupied Syrian Golan, as well as Israeli measures to impose jurisdiction and administration there, are null and void and have no legal effect.”

    2008-07-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5940 (2008) · source

  23. “The Movement congratulates the people and leaders of Lebanon and strongly supports the agreement reached in Doha on 21 May under the auspices of His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, Emir of Qatar, pursuant to the efforts of the Ministerial Committee of the Arab League. The Doha agreement constituted an essential step towards the resolution of the current crisis, the return to the normal functioning of Lebanese democratic institutions, and the complete restoration of Lebanon's unity and stability. In this regard, the Movement welcomes the election of the new President of the Republic and the establishment of a national unity Cabinet, and supports the agreement to address Lebanon's electoral law, in accordance with the Arab League initiative.”

    2008-07-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5940 (2008) · source

  24. “calls for the prompt settlement of the question of the Shaba'a farms in full respect for Lebanese territorial integrity, as stipulated in resolution 1701 (2006). We call upon all parties to cooperate in protecting Lebanon's sovereign rights in that area, and we note the important endeavours of the Secretary- General in this regard. 08-4326] The NAM. is acutely aware of the enormous challenge facing Lebanon as a result of the 1.2 million cluster bombs launched by Israel during its attack on that country. The Movement once again condemns the use of such weapons by Israel and deplores the death toll resulting from them. The NAM. strongly calls upon Israel to provide the exact location of those deadly weapons and to provide maps of landmines planted during its occupation of southern Lebanon.”

    2008-07-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5940 (2008) · source

  25. “The Non-Aligned Movement reiterates its satisfaction at the steps undertaken by the Lebanese Government to implement resolution 1701 (2006). The Movement also welcomes the deployment of the Lebanese armed forces along the northern and eastern borders of Lebanon in order to ensure security and stability at the borders. The NAM. remains deeply concerned by Israel's ongoing air and land violations of the Blue Line in breach of resolution 1701 (2006). We strongly call on Israel to end the occupation of the northern part of Ghajar, on the northern side of the Blue Line, and to immediately refrain from any violation of Lebanese sovereignty and of resolution 1701 (2006), as well as to refrain from any provocation of the Lebanese armed forces or the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon. The NAM.”

    2008-07-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5940 (2008) · source

  26. “The members of the Non-Aligned Movement have submitted a letter to the President of the Security Council, urging the Council to seriously address that critical issue, including through the adoption of a resolution. The Movement reiterates its condemnation of all Israel's illegal settlement activities in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem, stresses the dangers of such continuing illegal and unilateral Israeli measures, and reiterates its demand that Israel immediately and completely cease all settlement construction, expansion and planning. The Government of Lebanon has continuously endeavoured to stabilize the situation in its territory following Israel's brutal aggression and serious violations of its territorial integrity and sovereignty.”

    2008-07-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5940 (2008) · source

  27. “The Movement is concerned by the huge physical, economic and social devastation caused by those illegal and destructive colonization practices, which are dividing the occupied Palestinian territory into separate, walled-in enclaves and severing East Jerusalem from the rest of the territory, completely undermining the unity, integrity and contiguity of the Palestinian territory, destroying entire communities, displacing thousands of Palestinian civilians, and isolating tens of thousands more Palestinians in isolated cantons. In flagrant violation of international law, despite commitments made in the context of the Middle East peace process and agreements reached therein, and contrary to the spirit and goals of the renewed peace process, Israeli has stepped up its illegal settlement activities.”

    2008-07-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5940 (2008) · source

  28. “Israel, in violation of numerous Security Council resolutions regarding the inadmissibility of the acquisition of territory by force and the illegality of the Israeli settlements; in further violation of General Assembly resolutions; and in contravention of the Advisory Opinion and of General Assembly resolution ES-lO/15 of 20 July 2004, continues to build the wall, to impose an associated permit regime, and to expand its illegal settlements. In flagrant defiance of the ruling and of international law, Israel has completed approximately 60 per cent of the planned 701 kilometres of the wall and has continued to confiscate even more Palestinian land, to destroy property and to displace more Palestinian civilians.”

    2008-07-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5940 (2008) · source

  29. “The Movement reiterates its call on Israel to cease all its violations against the Palestinian people and to abide scrupulously by its obligations under international law, including humanitarian and human rights law. This month marks the fourth anniversary of the rendering by the International Court of Justice of the Advisory Opinion on the legal consequences of the construction of a wall in the occupied Palestinian territory, including in and around East Jerusalem. The Court, the highest judicial organ of the United Nations system, affirmed that the construction of the wall is illegal and that Israel is under obligation to terminate its breaches of international law, to cease its construction of the wall, to dismantle the wall, and to make reparations for all damage caused by the construction of the wall.”

    2008-07-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5940 (2008) · source

  30. “In grave breach of international law and in contradiction of the peace process, Israel, the occupying Power, continues to carry out military attacks against the Palestinian people in the occupied Palestinian territory, particularly in the Gaza Strip, where the isolated and imprisoned Palestinian civilian population continues to suffer a dire humanitarian crisis. The Movement reiterates that the occupying Power's lack of respect for international law and ongoing illegal occupation continue to be the major obstacles to achieving a just, lasting and comprehensive peace. In that connection, the Movement reiterates its profound regret that, for more than 41 years, the Palestinian people have suffered under the brutal Israeli military occupation and colonization and that they continue to be denied their fundamental human rights.”

    2008-07-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5940 (2008) · source

  31. “Mr. Benitez Verson (Cuba) (spoke in Spanish): I have the honour to address the Security Council on behalf of the 118 States members of the Non-Aligned Movement. Allow me at the outset, on behalf of the Movement, to congratulate you, Sir, and your entire team on your outstanding presidency of the Council. At your request, I shall try to shorten my statement and shall circulate the text of the full version. The situation in the Middle East remains complex. The situation in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem, continues to deteriorate and to be marked by deadly violence, instability and high tension.”

    2008-07-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5940 (2008) · source

  32. “In conclusion, I should simply like to point out, as the Government of the Republic of Cuba said on 19 April last, even now, after his release, the Government of the United States has all the information and all the legal mechanisms required to re-arrest Posada Carriles. What is lacking is merely the political will seriously to counter terrorism. Let us recall that, according to President Bush, if you give refuge to a terrorist, if you support a terrorist, if you feed a terrorist, you are as guilty as the terrorists themselves.”

    2007-05-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5679 (2007) · source

  33. “The Government of the United States has protected Posada Carriles to prevent any knowledge of the terrorist acts he committed against Cuba, Venezuela and other countries when working under the orders of the CIA and in particular of the father of the current President of the United States, who headed that United States agency dedicated to espionage and subversion in 1975 and 1976 - a time when terrorist acts against Cuba were more violent and more heinous - and who was Vice-President of the United States during the 1980s, a time when a "dirty war" was being conducted against the Government of Nicaragua.”

    2007-05-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5679 (2007) · source

  34. “In November 2000, he was arrested in Panama along with three of his accomplices as they planned an attack against President Fidel Castro on the occasion of the tenth Ibero-American Summit. The plan was to place a powerful bomb in the auditorium of Panama University when Fidel Castro would be meeting with hundreds of Panamanian students and professors.”

    2007-05-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5679 (2007) · source

  35. “He was responsible, together with Orlando Bosch Avila, another terrorist - who has been freely walking the streets of Miami for years - for the bombing of a Cuban aircraft off the coast of Barbados that cost the lives of 73 innocent people. He was involved in Operation Condor - a genocide operation - carried out by Latin American dictatorships and the CIA to track, kidnap, torture, assassinate and "disappear" thousands of people, solely because of their leftist or nationalist philosophies. In 1997 Posada Carriles prepared and directed a series of terrorist acts using explosives against hotels in Havana. In an interview with the New York Times published on 12 and 13 July 1998, Posada Carriles proudly claimed to have headed this terrorist network.”

    2007-05-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5679 (2007) · source

  36. “Even after he was arrested, several months after President Fidel Castro publicly denounced his presence on United States territory, the Government of the United States charged Posada Carriles only with minor offences relating to immigration. The charges made no reference whatsoever to terrorism, despite the fact that the Government of the United States is very well aware, and has every proof, of the countless terrorist acts committed by Posada Carriles. We need cite only a few examples to illustrate the nature of this person. Posada Carriles was trained by the CIA at the College of the Americas from 1971 on. Declassified documents from the United States Government itself reveal that, for most of his career, Posada Carriles had close links with the CIA.”

    2007-05-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5679 (2007) · source

  37. “We are here on behalf of the 3,478 Cubans who have died and the 2,909 who have been injured as a result of the countless terrorist acts of which the Cuban people have been victims over a period of more than 45 years, the majority of which were planned and organized from United States territory with support, protection and funding from successive Governments of that country. The decision to allow the release of Posada Carriles is the clearest possible demonstration of the double standards used by the North American Government and a clear contradiction of its alleged combat against terrorism. It cannot expect us to unquestioningly accept the hypocritical call to "Do what we say, not what we do". The Government of the United States has gone to truly shameful lengths to protect Posada Carriles.”

    2007-05-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5679 (2007) · source

  38. “Mr. Benitez Verson (Cuba) (spoke in Spanish): My delegation feels the need to speak once again in response to the comments that you have made on Cuba's original statement. The complaint submitted by Cuba regarding the release of the known terrorist, Luis Posada Carriles, is of key importance to all Member States and to the credibility of the Security Council. We cannot beat about the bush here. Cuba did not come to this debate to make statements full of empty rhetoric or for word games that mask the truth.”

    2007-05-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5679 (2007) · source

  39. “This body cannot remain a silent accomplice in the light of these grave developments. I would like to conclude by reaffirming the unwavering commitment of the people and Government of Cuba to the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people and all Arab peoples, and by reiterating our firm belief that, sooner rather than later, the establishment of a sovereign and independent Palestinian State will become a reality.”

    2006-06-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5481 (2006) · source

  40. “It called upon the international community and peace-loving forces to demand the immediate and unconditional withdrawal of Israeli troops, an end to Israel's State terrorism, respect for the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people, the return of refugees, and the unconditional restoration of all Arab territories occupied in June 1967. Those steps represent the only way to achieve a fair and lasting peace for all the peoples of that stricken region. Israel's new escalation further aggravates the already critical humanitarian situation in the illegally occupied territories, further exacerbating the financial blackmail of the Palestinian authorities and people, which is an element of political pressure to gain concessions. The Security Council must act without delay.”

    2006-06-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5481 (2006) · source

  41. “Cuba also vigorously rejects the violation of the airspace of the Syrian Arab Republic by Israeli military aircraft. That, together with the barbaric actions carried out against the Gaza Strip, has exposed the region yet again to a dangerous escalation of violence that endangers international peace and security. As in the past, Israel has acted with the arrogance and impunity that it derives from the economic and military support and the permanent veto power of the United States in the Security Council. On 29 June, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cuba issued a statement expressing its strongest condemnation of this most recent Israeli military aggression.”

    2006-06-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5481 (2006) · source

  42. “The occupying forces attacked the main power plant of the area, cutting off electricity from nearly half of the territory, indiscriminately bombing a number of bridges that connect the various sections of the Strip, re-occupying large areas in the southern part of the territory, and arresting numerous prominent individuals from the Government of the Palestinian Authority and members of the Palestinian Legislative Council. That inhuman and criminal aggression was unleashed at a time when an agreement had been reached between the Palestinian political forces that would have contributed to relaunching the peace negotiations between the Palestinians and the Israelis, in accordance with the relevant resolutions of the General Assembly and the Security Council.”

    2006-06-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5481 (2006) · source

  43. “Mr. Benitez Verson (Cuba) (spoke in Spanish): Once again, we are witnessing the escalation of Israeli military attacks against the Palestinian people. There appears to be no end to the barbarity. Under the pretext of the kidnapping of an Israeli soldier by the Palestinian resistance to occupation, in the early hours of 28 June Israel launched a large-scale military attack on the Gaza Strip, mobilizing nearly 5,000 soldiers, hundreds of tanks and other military means.”

    2006-06-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5481 (2006) · source