Cuba joins South Africa's lawsuit against Israel

 HAVANA, Cuba, Jan 13 (ACN) Cuba formally delivered to the International Court of Justice at its headquarters in The Hague (Netherlands), the Declaration of intervention in the case "Application of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide in the Gaza Strip".

As reported today by the Foreign Ministry of the island, with this document, made under Article 63 of the Statute of the Court, Havana joins the lawsuit of the African nation against Israel.

This case, initiated by South Africa and supported by more than a dozen countries, should be understood and heeded as an urgent call by all to stop the horrendous international crimes of genocide, against humanity and apartheid that have been and are being perpetrated against the Palestinian people, the Foreign Ministry's statement underscores.

It added that the Republic of Cuba is a State Party to the 1948 Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide and, in accordance with the commitments assumed therein, has the obligation to carry out all possible actions aimed at preventing and punishing genocide against anyone who attempts to destroy in whole or in part a national, ethnic, racial or religious group.

Within the United Nations system, the text further adds, the Court is the last hope of the Palestinian people and the safeguard of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide.

Cuban government reiterates its deep concern with the continued escalation of violence by Israel in the illegally occupied Palestinian territories, in flagrant violation of the United Nations Charter and international law, the Foreign Ministry stresses.

It also reiterates its strong condemnation of the murder of civilians, including women, children, the elderly and humanitarian workers of the United Nations system, as well as the indiscriminate shelling of the Palestinian civilian population and the destruction of homes, hospitals and vital civilian infrastructure.

Cuba states that the impunity with which the government of Israel acts is a direct result of the complicity of successive governments of the United States of America, which repeatedly obstruct and veto any action by the international community and the UN Security Council, undermining peace, security and stability in the Middle East and throughout the world.

Cuba ratifies its solidarity and support to the brotherly people of Palestine, victim for more than 75 years of illegitimate colonial occupation and flagrant violations of their legitimate rights to exist as a free and independent nation, the note states.
It concludes by affirming that the genocide against the Palestinian people must cease immediately and unconditionally.