CUBAN National Rebellion Day was commemorated in New Delhi, Trivandrum, and Kolkata on July 26. The National Committee for Solidarity with Cuba (NCSC) observed the day by reaffirming its solidarity with Cuba and rededicating itself to the fight against imperialism. This year holds special significance as it marks the 70th anniversary of the attack on Moncada garrison, led by Fidel Castro.
This year, the NCSC decided to observe the July 26th programme by highlighting the internationalist role of Fidel Castro and Cuba's crucial support and specific assistance to Palestine. At present, Palestine is facing severe attacks from Israel, the recent instance being the attack on Jenin, in the West Bank. Both Cuba and Palestine deserve solidarity from the international community, as they bravely resist imperialist aggression.
In New Delhi, the event was organised under the theme, 'Fidel and Palestine.' The Ambassadors of Cuba and Palestine, along with leaders from Left parties, participated and spoke on this occasion. Similarly, in Trivandrum, the day was commemorated under the same theme, while in Kolkata, the theme was on the expansion of NATO and the threat it poses to the world.
Ambassador Alejandro Simancas, representing Cuba in India, highlighted the strong and friendly relationship between Cuba and Palestine. He provided a detailed account of the current situation in Palestine, and condemned the attacks on its people, and reiterated Cuba's unwavering support for the establishment of a Palestine State with pre-1967 borders and East Jerusalem as its capital. Simancas also explained the current situation in Cuba, shedding light on the severe impact of the economic blockade imposed by the US. He stated that the US, which has no right whatsoever, has placed Cuba in the list of State sponsors of terrorism and this has, exacerbated the economic hardships faced by the Cuban people. Many banks, raw material suppliers for medicine production, and energy suppliers are hesitant to trade with Cuba, because they too would automatically fall under US sanctions. Despite these challenging circumstances, Simancas emphasized that the Cuban government is steadfast in its commitment to providing free education and healthcare for all its citizens. He expressed gratitude to the NCSC for its unwavering support to Cuba during these trying times.
Adnan Abu Alhaijaa, the ambassador of Palestine in India, recalled the long association between Fidel Castro and Yasser Arafat. He highlighted that Cuba was the first Latin American country to recognise Palestine and emphasized its unwavering support throughout the years. Alhaijaa also acknowledged the invaluable contribution of Cuba in providing free education to many Palestinian citizens, including medical training. Such medical personnel from Palestine, who were trained in Cuba, continue to serve the people of Palestine in spite of the various hardships that the Israeli government is posing. Similarly, many others are serving Palestine in various forms.
Alhaijaa elaborated on the current situation in Palestine, particularly after the formation of the extreme right-wing government of Netanyahu last year. He discussed the destructive attacks launched by Israel on Jenin, causing substantial damage to schools, hospitals, and vital infrastructure. He said that this year alone more than 220 Palestinians, including numerous children and women, were killed by Israeli armed forces. He expressed heartfelt gratitude to the NCSC and the people of India for their consistent and crucial support to Palestine, emphasizing that such solidarity is even more essential in the present circumstances.
Resolutions demanding the removal of Cuba from the list of State sponsors of terrorism and extending solidarity with Palestine were moved by Prof Sonya Gupta and Prof Vijaya Venkataraman, respectively (Full text of the resolutions are given separately).
Sitaram Yechury, general secretary of the CPI(M) wholeheartedly supported the resolutions and stated that it is the duty of all of us to ensure that the resolutions are put into practice. Speaking about the role played by Fidel Castro and Cuba in rallying all the developing countries for achieving their rightful place in international world order, he mentioned the formation of the Tricontinental, bringing together African, Asian and Latin American countries on a single platform. Yechury also mentioned about the role played by both Fidel and Arafat in the non-aligned movement. India, at that point of time was also an active member in the NAM, but under the current dispensation, it is for the first time that a prime minister of India failed to attend a NAM summit, Yechury stated. This explains the change in the foreign policy priorities of the present Indian government, which is reflected in its close partnership with the US and Israel, thereby sacrificing the interests of both Cuba and Palestine. He called upon the people of our country to rally together to oppose this policy shift and force the government to respect the will of the people, which is to stand in solidarity with countries like Cuba and Palestine.
Binoy Viswam, member of the national secretariat of the CPI spoke about the various UN resolutions that were passed denouncing both the economic blockade on Cuba and also Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories. He stated that all of us should mobilise public opinion and force the governments to respect and implement the UN resolutions which call for an immediate end to the economic blockade on Cuba and also for the rights of the Palestinians to return to their homeland.
Dipankar Bhattacharya, general secretary of the CPI(ML) Liberation, criticised the imperialist attacks on the global South, particularly on Cuba and Palestine. He stated that Cuba is a small country that is not only resolutely resisting the imperialist onslaught, but also assisting other countries whenever any health emergency arises. It is an epitome of true internationalism, he said. The attacks on Palestine carried out by the Israeli State, eerily find similarities with the attacks carried out by the present ruling dispensation in our country. He expressed his support to the resolutions tabled and called the people to rally in defense of the rights of both Cuba and Palestine.
Devrajan, general secretary of Forward Bloc, supporting the two resolutions, recalled that India historically always stood for Palestine, but all this changed after the BJP led government came into office. He denounced the attacks on Palestine and agreed with Yechury’s suggestion on the necessity for rallying the people of India in defence of the Palestinians. He also stated that it is our bounden duty to mobilise against the US imposed economic blockade on Cuba and expressed complete support to the demand for removing Cuba from the list of State sponsors of terrorism.
In Trivandrum, MA Baby, convenor of the NCSC and member of Polit Bureau of the CPI(M) was the main speaker. He explained the current situation in Cuba and Palestine and the role played by the NCSC in mobilising support in solidarity with Cuba. In the present conjecture, he pointed out that it is all the more important for all of us to rally against the imperialist attacks on Cuba and Palestine. The fight against imperialist attacks should be connected to our own struggle against imperialism in India, he stated.
In Kolkata, Srideep Bhattacharya, member of the Central Committee of the CPI(M) spoke on the NATO and the threats it is posing to the world. One should not consider NATO as not a relevant issue for us in India, he stated. Explaining it further, he talked about how NATO is now expanding into Asia-Pacific region and almost nearing our borders. He related the struggle of the Cuban people against imperialism and said that we should take inspiration from them to resist the expansion of NATO and imperialist intervention.
The two resolutions moved in Delhi and Trivandrum were unanimously accepted with a renewed vow to mobilise the people of our country in solidarity with both Cuba and Palestine.
Resolution Demanding Cuba to be Removed from the List of State Sponsors of Terrorism
We who have gathered here in New Delhi, India on July 26, 2023, representing the people of India, resolutely demand that Cuba be immediately removed from the list of State sponsors of terrorism.
Days before the inauguration of President Joe Biden, the Trump administration in the US had placed Cuba in the list of State sponsors of terrorism.
The US government neither has the moral legitimacy, nor the legal right to designate any country as a State sponsor of terrorism. The US is acting in violation of the UN Charter and International Law.
Cuba is a victim of various US sponsored terrorist acts. It is a well documented fact that the CIA had carried out more than 600 attempts to assassinate the legendary revolutionary leader Fidel Castro. The US provides safe haven to those terrorists who carried out their violent acts in Cuba.
Cuba is subjected to 713 acts of terrorism. Thousands of people lost their lives in such terrorist attacks, while thousands more were injured. The economic damage suffered by Cuba is more than 181 billion dollars.
While these are the facts, the US administration is unjustly accusing Cuba of sponsoring terrorism.
The real reason for designating Cuba as a sponsor of terrorism is to further strangulate the country, already reeling under the inhuman economic blockade.
By adding Cuba to the list, the US government has cut off all sources of income to the Cuban population. It is placing new obstacles in the provision of health and education services, which are guaranteed free to all Cuban citizens.
Due to this inclusion, it has become impossible for Cuba to produce the requisite quantity of country's basic list of medicines, due to the impossibility of making payments to obtain the necessary raw materials and supplies.
The difficulties to access medical technologies essential for the treatment, has accentuated.
The need to resort to alternative transportation routes with a high additional cost is increasing. This situation has generated multiple shortages and shortages in the national health system.
This arbitrary and unjustified measure has caused a significant increase in the number of banks, which out of fear of reprisals from the US government, have suspended their operations with Cuba, including transfers for purchases of food, medicines, fuel, spare parts for the national energy system and other goods for the population.
Tourism, a vital revenue generating sector for Cuba is also badly affected.
In spite of all these obstacles, Cuba stood out in the fight against Covid-19 and produced three indigenously developed vaccines. As Cuba is placed in the list and the problems associated with it, Cuba is unable to even apply for WHO approval for its vaccines, which are found to be more than 90 per cent effective.
Expressing our solidarity with Cuba, we once again demand the immediate removal of Cuba from the list of State sponsors of terrorism. We also demand an immediate end to the inhuman economic embargo imposed unilaterally by the US imperialism.
Viva Cuba.
Long Live India-Cuba Friendship.
Hasta La Victoria Siempre.
Resolution in Solidarity with Palestine
We, who have gathered here on July 26, 2023, representing the people of India, condemn the Israeli aggression on Palestine. We demand Israel to immediately move away from all the occupied territories and adhere to the various UN Resolutions. We stand firmly with the demand for the right of Palestinians to return to their native land – the State of Palestine, with East Jerusalem as the capital and pre-1967 borders.
We staunchly condemn the recent Israeli attack on Jenin, a small town, which hosts more than 14,000 Palestinian refugees. This is the worst attack carried on Jenin in the last twenty years. Israel followed on this attack by launching missile attack on Gaza strip.
This year, every day, more than one Palestinian citizen was killed by the Israeli armed forces and the armed settler mercenaries who are actively supported by the Israeli State.
Ever since the US had shifted its embassy to Jerusalem and proposed its ‘Plan of the Century’, which deny the rights of Palestinians and the State of Palestine, Israel has become more aggressive in its attacks. It is repeatedly attacking the third most sacred mosque in Al Aqsa, particularly during the sacred month of Ramadan.
Israel has passed the Jewish State Law, which discriminates against Arab citizens, their language and democratic rights. While Palestinians are denied the right to return to their homeland and claim their houses, Jews anywhere in the world are guaranteed the right to settle in Israel.
The present far-right government in Israel led by Netanyahu is facing tremendous opposition from the people of Israel. In order to dilute and divert the united struggles of the people against the government, it has further increased its attacks on Palestinians.
In spite of all these attacks, Palestinians are fighting for their just cause – the right to return to their homeland and for the State of Palestine.
India has historically supported the cause of Palestine Statehood. We reiterate our solidarity with the people of Palestine and demand Israel to respect the UN Resolutions that recognise the rights of Palestinians and the State of Palestine.
