Here is a
one-page, pdf-formatted, version:
http://www.walterlippmann.com/fc-gaza-2014.pdf
==================================
Palestinian Holocaust in Gaza
• I again request that Granma not use the front
page for these relatively brief lines about the genocide of Palestinians
being committed
Fidel Castro Ruz
I again request that Granma not use the front page for these relatively
brief lines about the genocide of Palestinians being committed.
I am writing them rapidly, to state only that which requires deep
reflection.
I think that a new, repugnant form of fascism is emerging with notable
strength, at this time in human history when more that seven billion
inhabitants are struggling for their survival.
None of these circumstances have anything to do with the creation of the
Roman Empire, around 2,400 years ago, or with the U.S. empire which, in
this region only 200 years ago, was described by Simón Bolívar who
exclaimed, “…the United States appears to be destined by providence to
plague America with misery in the name of liberty.”
England was the first true colonial power to use its dominion over a
large part of Africa, the Middle East, Asia, Australia, North America,
and many Caribbean islands, in the first half of the 20th century.
On this occasion I will not talk about the wars and crimes committed by
the United States empire over more than 100 years, but will only state
what it wanted to do to Cuba, what it has done to many other countries
in the world, and only served to prove that “A just idea in the depth of
a cave is stronger than an army.”
History is much more complicated than everything I have said, but that
is the way it is, in broad strokes, as the inhabitants of Palestine
know, and it is likewise logical that the modern communications media
reflect the news which arrives daily, as has occurred with the shameful,
criminal war in the Gaza Strip, a piece of land where the population
lives in what remains of what was independent Palestine only 50 years
ago.
The French agency AFP reported August 2, “The war between the Islamist
Palestinian movement Hamas and Israel has caused the deaths of close to
1,800 Palestinians,… the destruction of thousands of homes, and ruined
an economy which was already weakened,” although it does not indicate,
of course, who initiated the terrible war.
Added later, “… As of Saturday at midday the Israeli offensive had
killed 1,712 Palestinians and injured 8,900. The United Nations was able
to verify the identities of 1,117 dead, in their majority civilians …
UNICEF counted at least 296 dead minors.”
“The United Nations estimates …some 58,900 persons homeless in the Gaza
Strip.”
“Ten of the 32 hospitals were closed and another 11 damaged.”
“This Palestinian enclave of 362 km² does not have the infrastructure
needed for 1.8 million inhabitants, above all in terms of the provision
of electricity and water.”
“According to the IMF, the rate of unemployment surpasses 40% in the
Gaza Strip, territory subjected to an Israeli blockade since 2006. In
2000, unemployment was 20%, and in 2011, 30%. More than 70% of the
population depends on humanitarian aid during normal periods, according
to Gisha.
The Israeli government declared a humanitarian truce in Gaza at 07:00
GMT on Monday, nevertheless within a few hours, it broke the truce
attacking a house, injuring 30 persons, in their majority women and
children, and an eight-year-old girl died.
In the dawn hours of this same day, 10 Palestinians died as a result of
Israeli attacks in all of Gaza and the number of Palestinians murdered
has already increased to 2,000.
The killing has reached the point that, “French Minister of Foreign
Affairs Laurent Fabius stated this Monday that Israel’s right to
security does not justify the massacre of civilians taking place.”
The Nazi genocide of Jews outraged all the earth’s peoples. Why does
this government believe that the world will be insensitive to the
macabre genocide which today is being perpetuated against the
Palestinian people? Perhaps it is expected that the complicity of the
U.S. empire in this shameful massacre will be ignored?
The human species is living in an unprecedented stage of history. A
crash between military planes or warships which are closely watched, or
other similar events could unleash a conflict with the use of
sophisticated, modern weapons, which could become the last known
adventure of Homo sapiens.
There are events which reflect the almost total inability of the United
States to face the world’s current problems. It can be stated that there
is no government in this country, no Senate, no Congress, CIA or
Pentagon which will determine the final outcome. It is truly sad that
this should happen when the dangers are so great, but the opportunities
to move forward are great as well.
When the great patriotic war took place, Russian citizens defended their
country like Spartans, underestimating them was the worse error made by
the United States and Europe. Their closest allies, the Chinese, who
like the Russians achieved their victory on the basis of the same
principles, constitute today the earth’s most dynamic economic force.
Countries want yuan and not dollars to acquire goods and technology, and
increased trade.
New, indispensable forces have emerged. Brazil, Russia, India, China and
South Africa - establishing links with Latin America and the majority of
countries in the Caribbean and Africa struggling for development –
constitute the forces which in our era are willing to collaborate with
the rest of the world’s countries, without excluding the United States,
Europe or Japan.
Blaming the Russian Federation for the in-flight destruction of the
Malaysian airplane is a stunning oversimplification. Not Vladímir Putin,
nor Serguéi Lavrov, Russia’s minister of Foreign Relations, or any other
leader of this government would ever come up with such nonsense.
Twenty-six million Russians died in the defense of their homeland
against the Nazis. Chinese combatants, men and women, inheritors of a
millennial culture, are people of uncommon intelligence and an
invincible spirit of struggle. Xi Jinping is one of the strongest and
most capable revolutionary leaders I have met in my life.
Fidel Castro Ruz
August 4, 2014
10: 45 p.m.
http://www.granma.cu/idiomas/ingles/cuba-i/5agosto-fidelgaza.html
