“The Arab population of Palestine are victims of genocidal actions; their lands are confiscated or deprived of water supplies in the semi-desert areas, and their homes are destroyed with heavy wrecking equipment.”
- August 13, 1926 – November 25, 2016
- Cuban
- Revolutionary, Prime Minister and President of Cuba, Communist Leader
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Quote
“The Arab population of Palestine are victims of genocidal actions; their lands are confiscated or deprived of water supplies in the semi-desert areas, and their homes are destroyed with heavy wrecking equipment.”
Explanation
This quote reflects Fidel Castro’s strong condemnation of Israeli policies toward Palestinians, portraying them as systematic acts of dispossession and destruction. By using the phrase “victims of genocidal actions,” Castro signals that he views these measures not as isolated incidents, but as part of a deliberate and sustained campaign of erasure, aimed at undermining the Palestinian people’s ability to live, survive, and maintain their identity. The mention of land confiscation, water deprivation, and demolition of homes points to the use of structural means to displace and marginalize a population.
Historically, Castro and Cuba aligned with the Non-Aligned Movement and supported Palestinian self-determination, often positioning themselves in opposition to Western-backed interventions in the Middle East. His language reflects broader concerns about colonial legacies and imperial influence, particularly as they manifest in resource control and military dominance. Castro’s framing suggests that what is happening in Palestine is not only a regional conflict but also a human rights crisis with global moral implications.
In today’s world, the quote resonates in the context of ongoing debates over the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, where terms like “genocide” remain deeply contentious but are used by some to describe the scale and intent of certain actions. It challenges the global community to examine the long-term humanitarian impact of territorial occupation and resource denial, especially in semi-arid regions where access to water and shelter are essential to survival. Castro’s words serve as a call to recognize and resist systems of oppression that are carried out under the guise of security or development.
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