Cuba condemns Israel's violence against Palestinians, advocates solution to conflict

HAVANA, April 3 (Xinhua) -- Cuba condemned Tuesday recent attacks by the Israeli army against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, which have left 17 dead and more than 1,600 injured, and advocated a "comprehensive, just and lasting" solution to this conflict.

Emilio Lozada, director of bilateral affairs of the Cuban Foreign Ministry, said in a press statement that Havana expresses its "strongest condemnation" to this aggression that has been taking place since March 30.

"This brutal act constitutes a grave and flagrant violation of the United Nations (UN) Charter and international humanitarian law, and aggravates tensions in the region," Lozada said.

The senior Cuban official said these events roll back the possibility of "any effort aimed at resuming peace talks between Palestinians and Israelis."

He also called on international organizations, as well as the UN Security Council, to demand an "immediate end of Israel's aggression" against the Palestinians and its "expansionist and colonizing policies."

"We express our solidarity with the Palestinian government and people and reiterate our firm position of support for a comprehensive, just and lasting solution to the conflict," he added.

Lozada said Cuba advocates a two-state resolution that grants Palestinians the right to self-determination and an independent and sovereign nation, with its capital in East Jerusalem and the pre-1967 borders.

The clashes between hundreds of Palestinian protesters and Israeli soldiers are part of a six-week protest called the Long March of Return.

Israeli media reported earlier that the army was ordered to open fire on Palestinian protesters near the border fence between the Gaza Strip and Israel. Enditem