Cuba, Venezuela on Israeli Attack

Subject: CUBA, VENEZUELA on Israeli attack

GRANMA INTERNATIONAL
Havana. June 1, 2010

Statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

THE Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cuba has learned with profound concern of the criminal attack perpetrated in the early hours of May 31 by the special forces of the Israeli Army on a flotilla of boats which, in international waters, was transporting humanitarian aid to the Palestinian people resident in the Gaza Strip, an attack that provoked death and injury among various members of that flotilla.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expresses its most energetic condemnation of this devious and criminal attack on the part of the Israeli government and calls on the international community and peace-loving peoples to demand the immediate lifting by the Israeli authorities of the illegal, ruthless and genocidal blockade of the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip.

Cuba wishes to convey its most heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and reiterates its support for and solidarity with the just cause of the Palestinian people and their inalienable rights, which include the creation of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital.

Havana, May 31, 2010

Translated by Granma International
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Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela

Ministry of People's Power for Foreign Affairs

Statement

The President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, Commander Hugo
Chávez, emphatically condemns the brutal massacre perpetrated by the
State of Israel against the members of the Liberty Flotilla, as a
result of the war action started by the Israeli Army against
defenseless civilians, who tried to carry humanitarian aid supplies
to the Palestine people of the Gaza Strip, who are victim of the
criminal blockage imposed by the State of Israel.

President Hugo Chávez, on behalf of his government and the Venezuelan
people, expresses his deepest regret and sends his deepest
condolences to the families and relatives of the heroes who have been
victim of this state crime, and commit to honor their memory and to
give the necessary help so that the responsible of this murderers are
severely punished.

The revolutionary government of Venezuela will continue denouncing
the terrorist and criminal nature of Israel, and it reaffirms, today
more than ever, its unbreakable commitment with the fight of the
Palestinian people for freedom, the sovereignty and the dignity.

Caracas, May 31, 2010
Ministry of People's Power for Foreign Affairs
May 31, 2010