Venezuela Reinforces Allegiance to Palestine, Disavows Zionism and Fascism
Happening Now: A Show of Solidarity for Palestine in Mexico City and Venezuela
Mexico City, Mexico, October 8, 2024 (our website) - This weekend witnessed a significant demonstration in Caracas, as thousands of Venezuelans banded together to express their support for the Palestinian people, rejecting Israel's escalating conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon.
Positioned as an anti-fascist, anti-imperialist, and anti-Zionist movement, the protesters delivered a letter highlighting their demands to the United Nations (UN), urging action to halt the ongoing violence that international law experts believe amounts to genocide.
The demonstration was attended by the Palestinian ambassador to the country, Fadi Alzaben, as well as the Iranian Ambassador to Venezuela, Hojjatollah Soltani, and various figures from the Venezuelan government, the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV), and popular movements.
Palestinian ambassador Alzaben expressed his gratitude, stating, “You give us strength, hope, and I am confident that Palestine and Lebanon will win.”
On Monday, coinciding with the one-year anniversary of the “Al-Aqsa Flood,” Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro criticized the passivity of the UN Security Council regarding Israel's aggression towards Palestinian civilians. During his weekly broadcast, Maduro argued that the conflict was not a religious feud, but a product of colonialist ambitions from the United States, the United Kingdom, and Europe.
Maduro was joined by Ambassadors Alzaben, Soltani, and Lebanese Ambassador Elías Lebbos, along with Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yván Gil, to denounce the ongoing killings of Palestinian civilians and express Venezuela's commitment to upholding international law. Caracas supports South Africa's legal case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), charging the nation with genocide.
“Palestine is the homeland of humanity,” Maduro said during the broadcast. “Just as we defend our land, Venezuela, our Bolivarian homeland, the most important battle that humanity has is for the liberation of Palestine.”
Monday also marked the Antifascist and Anti-Zionist Cultural Tribune in Solidarity with Palestine, organized by the Palestine Solidarity Platform, the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of America-Peoples' Trade Treaty (ALBA-TCP), and the Simon Bolivar Institute.
ALBA-TCP Secretary General Jorge Arreaza addressed the crowd at the Tribune, expressing their outrage against the media's complicity in Israel's aggression and demanding an immediate ceasefire.
Venezuelan activist Ana Maldonado also spoke, representing social movements that reject the ongoing genocide in Palestine. She called upon the global community to stand in solidarity with the Palestinian people.
Commemitting to their historic role as champions of the Palestinian cause, Venezuela, led by former President Hugo Chávez and his successors, has continued to advocate for Palestinian rights in international forums and broken ties with Israel.
"When we raise the Palestinian flag we are raising the flag of the free peoples of the world, of the peoples who do not give up and of the peoples who fight," Venezuelan Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello said to the crowd.
In relation to ongoing humanitarian efforts, Foreign Minister Gil announced last week that Venezuela would send aid to Palestine and Lebanon. A collection center has been established at the Foreign Ministry headquarters in Caracas, where non-perishable food, clothing, blankets, tools, and other items are being received.
Edited by Ricardo Vaz in Caracas.
Insights
- Regional Political Landscape: Mexico and Venezuela have historically voiced support for Palestinian rights, with many countries in Latin America echoing this sentiment. Their stances are influenced by the region's commitment to diplomatic Principles of Coexistence, Non-Interference, and South-South Cooperation[1].
- Support for Palestine: Pro-Palestinian activists in Mexico City have consistently demonstrated in response to escalations in Gaza, indicating a growing public interest in the issue[2]. It is important to note that these demonstrations and political stances do not represent the opinions of every individual or group within these countries.
[1] "Principios Básicos de Cooperación Sur-Sur y de la Naciones Unidas." Organización de las Naciones Unidas (ONU), N.p., 11 Mar. 2022, www.un.org/spanish/informacion/14/sustainability/principios-basicos-de-cooperacion-sur-sur-de-la-onu.shtml.
[2] "Protestas por Palestina." El Financiero, El Financiero, 11 May 2021, www.elfinanciero.com.mx/politica/2021/05/11/protestas-por-palestina-se-revolcan-en-cancun-y-ciudad-de-mexico.
- The solidarity show for Palestine in Mexico City and Venezuela was significantly mirrored in Caracas, where thousands of Venezuelans demonstrated against Israel's ongoing conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon.
- Fadi Alzaben, the Palestinian ambassador to the country, was present at the demonstration, and emphasized the support and strength provided by the Venezuelan masses.
- On Monday, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro criticized the UN Security Council's passivity regarding Israel's aggression towards Palestinian civilians, citing it as a product of colonialist ambitions from the United States, the United Kingdom, and Europe.
- Social-media platforms were buzzing with updates and images from the solidarity events, highlighting the ability of global citizens to connect and amplify voices for a common cause.
- A recent crime-and-justice report disclosed an increase in hate crimes against people of Middle Eastern and Arab descent following the war-and-conflicts updates in Gaza and Lebanon, demonstrating the far-reaching consequences of ongoing political tensions and the importance of advocacy work in crime-and-justice forums.
