Israeli aggression in Gaza/Non-Aligned Movement statement – Letter from Cuba

    Letter dated 9 November 2006 from the Permanent Representative of Cuba to the United Nations addressed to the President of the Security Council

  In my capacity as Chair of the Coordinating Bureau of the Non-Aligned Movement, I have the honour to enclose herewith the statement of the Coordinating Bureau of the Non-Aligned Movement concerning the situation in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem (see annex).

  I hereby request that you circulate the present letter and its annex as a document of the Security Council.

(Signed ) Rodrigo Malmierca Díaz

Ambassador

Permanent Representative of Cuba

Chair of the Coordinating Bureau of the Non-Aligned Movement

    Annex to the letter dated 9 November 2006 from the Permanent Representative of Cuba to the United Nations addressed to the President of the Security Council

    Statement of the Coordinating Bureau of the Non-Aligned Movement concerning the situation in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem

   New York, 9 November 2006

  The Coordinating Bureau of the Non-Aligned Movement expresses once again its grave concern at the continued deterioration of the situation on the ground in the occupied Palestinian territory during the recent period, particularly as a result of the excessive, indiscriminate and disproportionate use of force by Israel, the occupying Power, which has caused extensive loss of civilian Palestinian life and injuries, including among children and women.

  The Movement condemns, in particular, the military assaults being carried out by Israel, the occupying Power, in the Gaza Strip, which have caused loss of life and extensive destruction of Palestinian property and vital infrastructure.

  The Movement reaffirms the continued validity of Security Council resolutions 242 (1967), 338 (1973), 446 (1979), 1322 (2000), 1397 (2002), 1402 (2002), 1403 (2002), 1435 (2002), 1515 (2003) and 1553 (2004).

  The Movement emphasizes the need to preserve the institutions of the Palestinian National Authority and Palestinian infrastructure and properties.

  The Movement expresses grave concern at the dire humanitarian situation of the Palestinian people and calls for the provision of emergency assistance to them.

  In light of the present situation, the Movement urges the Security Council to shoulder its responsibility according to the United Nations Charter in the preservation of international peace and security by taking the following measures:

 (a)   Demanding that Israel, the occupying Power, immediately cease its aggression against the Palestinian civilian population in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem, and immediately withdraw its forces from within the Gaza Strip to positions prior to June 2006;

 (b)   Calling for an immediate ceasefire between the Israeli and Palestinian sides;

 (c)   Calling also for the establishment and dispatch of a United Nations observer force to supervise the ceasefire;

 (d)   Calling upon Israel, the occupying Power, to scrupulously abide by its obligations and responsibilities under the Geneva Conventions relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War, of 12 August 1949.

  In that regard, the Movement calls upon the international community, including the Quartet, to take immediate steps, including confidence-building measures between the parties, with the objective of resuming peace negotiations and restarting the peace process.

  The Movement will remain seized of this important issue.

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