Letter dated 29 December 2008 from the Permanent Representative of Cuba to the United Nations addressed to the Secretary-General
In my capacity as Chair of the Coordinating Bureau of the Non-Aligned Movement, I have the honour to enclose herewith the statement by the Coordinating Bureau of the Non-Aligned Movement on Israel’s military aggression against the Gaza Strip in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (see annex).
Furthermore, I kindly request that the present letter and its annex is circulated as a document of the sixty-third session of the General Assembly, under agenda items 15, “The situation in the Middle East”, and 16, “Question of Palestine”, as well as of the Security Council.
(Signed ) Abelardo Moreno Fernández
Permanent Representative of Cuba to the United Nations
Chair of the Coordinating Bureau of the Non-Aligned Movement
Annex to the letter dated 29 December 2008 from the Permanent Representative of Cuba to the United Nations addressed to the Secretary-General
Statement by the Coordinating Bureau of the Non-Aligned Movement on Israel’s military aggression against the Gaza Strip in the Occupied Palestinian Territory
The Coordinating Bureau of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) strongly condemns the military aggression, including air strikes, carried out by Israel, the occupying Power, on the Gaza Strip, which has caused death and injuries to hundreds of civilians, including children, and destruction of Palestinian property and infrastructure.
This unacceptable military escalation by Israel constitutes a grave breach of international law, including humanitarian and human rights law, fuels the cycle of violence and threatens international peace and security as well as the fragile peace process between the two sides.
Such violent and illegal military actions and the continued collective punishment of the Palestinian people have deepened the suffering of innocent and defenceless Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, who are already greatly suffering from continued imposition of the crippling Israeli siege and the ensuing humanitarian crisis.
The Non-Aligned Movement demands that Israel immediately cease its military attacks and abide by all of its obligations under international law and relevant United Nations resolutions.
The Non-Aligned Movement calls upon the international community, especially the Security Council, to uphold international law and its responsibilities and to act urgently to address this grave situation.
The Non-Aligned Movement reaffirms its support for and solidarity with the Palestinian people.
New York, 29 December 2008
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Document Type: Letter, Statement
Document Sources: General Assembly, Non-Aligned Movement (NAM)(See also - Committee on Palestine), Security Council
Country: Cuba
Subject: Agenda Item, Armed conflict, Casualties, Closures/Curfews/Blockades, Human rights and international humanitarian law, Incursions, Occupation, Peace process
Publication Date: 29/12/2008