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#EndTheBlockade

26 posts12 participants0 posts today

‘Tell No Lies, Claim No Easy Victories’: The Cuban Revolution, Social Vulnerability, and Revolutionary Ethics

The following commentary was published on Facebook on July 16, 2025. The author, Isaac Saney, is on faculty at the College of Continuing Education, Dalhousie University, and an adjunct professor of International Development Studies at Saint Mary’s University, both in Halifax, Canada.

from #WorldOutlook
July 22, 2025

In one of the most enduring axioms of revolutionary integrity, Amílcar Cabral — African liberation theorist...urged those engaged in the struggle for liberation and justice to “Tell no lies, claim no easy victories.” This precept demands truth-telling, humility, and a relentless confrontation with reality. It stands in opposition to demagoguery, denial, and the temptation to obscure difficult truths for the sake of appearances.

world-outlook.com/2025/07/22/t

@cuba
#VivaCuba #LetCubaLive #EndTheBlockade #CubaSolidarity
#EndSanctionsAgainstCuba
@cubainfo

World-Outlook · ‘Tell No Lies, Claim No Easy Victories’: The Cuban Revolution, Social Vulnerability, and Revolutionary EthicsThis opinion column was published on Facebook on July 16, 2025. The author, Isaac Saney, is faculty at Saint Mary’s University, a public university in Twickenham, London, United Kingdom. The essay is one among many articles and posts by revolutionaries in Cuba and supporters of the Cuban Revolution in other countries addressing a public debate that erupted in Cuba in the middle of this month. The controversy was triggered by contentious remarks that Marta Elena Feitó Cabrera, Cuba’s former Minister of Labor and Social Security, made on July 14 at the National Assembly, the country’s parliament, dismissing begging and homelessness as fictitious problems.

Cuban Leader: ‘Everything for the People and with the People’

The author, Ernesto Limia Díaz, is First Vice-president of the Writers Association of the National Union of Writers and Artists of Cuba. Based on a Facebook post on July 18, 2025

from #WorldOutlook
July 21, 2025

Among other important points, Limia Díaz notes that “we cannot ignore that formalizing a private economy presents challenges to the #Cuban model. One thing we must be clear about: under socialism the blind laws of the market cannot govern ― or to be precise, the “blind” laws of those seers who control the market. Under socialism the market cannot dictate the trajectory, it must establish a harmonious relationship with the interests of society. Achieving this requires planning, audacity, control, and solidarity education.”

world-outlook.com/2025/07/21/c

@cuba
#VivaCuba #LetCubaLive #CubaSi #EndTheBlockade #CubaSolidarity #EndTheEmbargo
#EndSanctionsAgainstCuba #OffTheList
@cubainfo

World-Outlook · Cuban Leader: ‘Everything for the People and with the People’This essay was first published on Facebook on July 18, 2025. The author, Ernesto Limia Díaz, is First Vice-president of the Writers Association of the National Union of Writers and Artists of Cuba. His essay is part of a public discussion that has swept Cuba over the last week. The debate broke out into the open in the aftermath of the resignation of Cuba’s Minister of Labor and Social Security, Marta Elena Feitó Cabrera, on July 15.

#Merz calls on #Netanyahu to provide aid to #Gaza’s ‘starving’ civilians

Germany's chancellor urged the pursuit of an immediate #ceasefire during a phone call with the Israeli prime minister.

July 27, 2025

FRANKFURT: "Germany’s chancellor on Sunday called on Israel’s prime minister to quickly provide aid to 'starving' civilians in Gaza, in a phone call between the two leaders.

"Chancellor Friedrich Merz 'expressed his deep concern about the catastrophic #humanitarian situation in Gaza,' said a government statement.

" 'He called on Prime Minister (Benjamin) Netanyahu to do everything in his power to achieve an immediate ceasefire. He urged him to provide the starving civilian population in Gaza with urgently needed humanitarian aid now. This aid must reach the civilian population quickly, safely, and in the required quantities.' "

Read more:
freemalaysiatoday.com/category

Friedrich Merz AP 270525
Free Malaysia Today | FMT · Merz calls on Netanyahu to provide aid to Gaza’s ‘starving’ civiliansGermany's chancellor urged the pursuit of an immediate ceasefire during a phone call with the Israeli prime minister.

#UK, #Germany, #France call for immediate ceasefire in #Gaza

Leaders held an emergency call on Gaza Friday.

By Nadine El-Bawab and Shannon K. Kingston
July 25, 2025

" 'The #humanitarian catastrophe that we are witnessing in Gaza must end now. The most basic needs of the civilian population, including access to water and food, must be met without any further delay. Withholding essential humanitarian assistance to the civilian population is unacceptable,' the countries said in a joint statement."

Read more:
abcnews.go.com/International/m

ABC News · As aid groups warn of mass starvation looming in Gaza, European leaders to hold emergency meetingBy Nadine El-Bawab

#UK, #Canada and 26 other countries say the war in #Gaza ‘must end now’

By SYLVIA HUI and JILL LAWLESS
Updated 10:17 PM EDT, July 21, 2025

LONDON (AP) — "Twenty-eight countries including #Britain, #Japan and a host of European nations issued a joint statement Monday saying the war in Gaza 'must end now' — the latest sign of allies’ sharpening language as #Israel’s isolation deepens.

"The foreign ministers of countries also including #Australia and #Canada said 'the suffering of civilians in Gaza has reached new depths.' They condemned 'the drip feeding of aid and the inhumane killing of civilians, including children, seeking to meet their most basic needs of water and food.'

"The statement described as “horrifying” the recent deaths of over 800 #Palestinians who were seeking aid, according to the figures released by Gaza’s Health Ministry and the U.N. #HumanRights office.

" 'The Israeli government’s aid delivery model is dangerous, fuels instability and deprives #Gazans of human dignity,' the countries said. 'The Israeli government’s denial of essential humanitarian assistance to the civilian population is unacceptable. Israel must comply with its obligations under international #humanitarian law.' "

Read more:
apnews.com/article/europe-isra

#GazaAid #HumanitarianCrisis #MassStarvation #BibiIsAWarCriminal #IsraeliWarCrimes #FreePalestine #FreeGaza #EndTheBlockade #EndTheGenocide #Genocide #HumanRightsViolations #InternationalLaw #WorldPol #gazahumanitariancrisis #TheWorldIsWatching

Smoke and flames erupt from an Israeli airstrike in Gaza City, Monday, July 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Jehad Alshrafi)
AP News · UK, Canada and 26 other countries say the war in Gaza ‘must end now’A joint statement by 28 countries including Britain, Japan and Canada is calling for an immediate end to the war in Gaza. They say that the 21-month war “must end now." Monday's statement is the latest sign of allies’ sharpening language as Israel’s isolation deepens. The countries described as “horrifying” the recent deaths of over 800 Palestinians who were seeking aid. They urged Israel to comply with international law and allow essential humanitarian assistance. Notably absent from the new statement are the U.S. and Germany. Allies’ criticism about Israel’s actions has had little clear effect.

Boo hiss! Israel Seizes #AidFlotilla Bringing #BabyFormula, #Medicine to #Gaza

The United Nations said this week the #Famine in Gaza has reached “new and astonishing levels of desperation”

by Naomi LaChance, July 26, 2025

"A civilian ship carrying aid to #Palestinians in Gaza was intercepted by the Israeli military in international waters on Saturday, the #FreedomFlotillaCoalition confirmed.

"The #HandalaFlotilla was carrying baby formula, diapers, food, and medicine. The passengers were detained and the cargo was seized. The coalition said the boat was intercepted 'in international waters outside Palestinian territorial waters off Gaza, in violation of international maritime law.'

" 'Israel has no legal authority to detain international civilians aboard the Handala,' Ann Wright, a member of the #FreedomFlotilla’s steering committee, said in a statement. 'This is not a matter of internal Israeli jurisdiction. These are foreign nationals operating under international law in international waters. Their detention is arbitrary, unlawful, and must end.'

"This week, the United Nations’ World Food Program said the famine in Gaza has reached 'new and astonishing levels of desperation, with a third of the population not eating for multiple days in a row.' According to the Gaza Ministry of Health, there have been 40 hunger-related deaths this month.

"More than 100 aid agencies and rights groups have warned of a '#MassStarvation' across Gaza."

Read more:
rollingstone.com/politics/poli

Archived version:
archive.ph/w7OPc

The humanitarian ship Handala, operated by the Freedom Flotilla humanitarian organization, sets sail from the port of Syracuse in Siracusa, Italy, on July 13, 2025, to bring medicine, food, and water to the children of Gaza. (Photo by Gabriele Maricchiolo/NurPhoto via AP)
Rolling Stone · Israel Seizes Aid Flotilla Bringing Baby Formula, Medicine to GazaBy Naomi LaChance

#Trump’s War on Cuba Now Targets Many Cuban Americans

Statement by the US-Cuba Normalization Coalition

from #WorldOutlook
July 25, 2025

For over 60 years, the #US government has imposed a harsh blockade along with economic and political warfare aimed at destabilizing and overthrowing the #Cuban government. As part of this project, it has also incentivized Cuban emigration by offering special pathways to residency and citizenship if they made their way to the U.S. The narrative that they are “victims of Communism” seeking freedom is misleading. In reality the hardships created by the U.S. blockade, more than political differences, have fueled emigration. These bribes were intended to turn them into pawns in Washington’s war against #Cuba.

@cuba
#VivaCuba #LetCubaLive #CubaSi #EndTheBlockade #CubaSolidarity #EndTheEmbargo
#EndSanctionsAgainstCuba #OffTheList
@cubainfo

Israeli Parliament Votes for Making #Apartheid Official. #Fetterman: “I Haven’t Been Following It.”

Israel’s Parliament voted in favor of annexing the #WestBank. Other Democrats interviewed by The Intercept condemned the move.

Jessica Washington, July 26 2025

Excerpt: "The nonbinding resolution, which was advanced by Prime Minister Benjamin #Netanyahu’s coalition and passed 71-13 in the Knesset, won’t legally change the reality in the West Bank — but it marks an escalation in the Israeli government’s efforts to annex the territory.

"Four Democrats in the Senate and House who spoke to The Intercept condemned the Israeli government’s vote. Others said they hadn’t been following the issue. Fetterman was one of three senators who told The Intercept on Thursday they were unaware of the Knesset vote. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, declined to comment.

"The resolution in the Knesset, or Parliament, called to apply 'Israeli sovereignty, law, judgment and administration to all the areas of Jewish settlement of all kinds in Judea, Samaria and the Jordan Valley' — which is how most Israelis refer to the West Bank.
Currently, 3 million Palestinians reside in the West Bank, alongside over 500,000 Israeli settlers, who’ve established settlements in the occupied territory in violation of international law.

"Annexation of the West Bank would be at odds with the U.S. official policy goal for two states — one for Palestinians in the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip, and one state for Israel comprising its pre-1967 borders.

"The two-state solution has won official backing from successive presidents dating back to the late 1990s — except for Donald #Trump — to assuage concerns over Israel having permanent control over millions of Palestinians without full civil rights.

"Though the conditions already exist — there is a growing consensus that Israel in an apartheid state — making this control officially permanent would make apartheid indisputable.

"Both Democratic and Republican administrations have repeatedly undermined the possibility of a two-state solution by arming Israel as it continues to attack Palestinian people and seize their territory, which lawmakers in Congress have made excuses for.
As public sentiment turns against Israel, however, with voters increasingly opposing the Netanyahu government’s genocide in Gaza, some members of Congress have been more willing to criticize the Israeli regime."

Full article:
theintercept.com/2025/07/26/fe

Archived version:
archive.ph/LgGMf

The Intercept · Israeli Parliament Votes for Making Apartheid Official. Fetterman: “I Haven’t Been Following It.”By Jessica Washington

From 2021: #Palestine’s forgotten oil and gas resources

A fair distribution of #Oil and gas resources in the Levant Basin will be needed to achieve a lasting political and economic settlement between Israel and Palestine.

by Mahmoud Elkhafif
Published On 21 Jun 2021

Excerpt: "The prolonged closure and recurrent military operations in Gaza have left more than half the territory’s population living below the poverty line and cost $16.7bn in lost GDP annually. This figure does not account for the huge opportunity cost of preventing the Palestinian people from using their natural gas field off the shores of Gaza.

"The 1995 Israeli-Palestinian Interim Agreement on the #WestBank and #GazaStrip, known as the #OsloII Accord, gave the #PalestinianAuthority (PA) maritime jurisdiction over its waters up to 20 nautical miles from the coast. The PA signed a 25-year contract for gas exploration with the#BritishGas Group in 1999, and a large gas field, #GazaMarine, was discovered at 17 to 21 nautical miles off the coast of Gaza the same year. However, despite initial discussions between the Israeli government, the PA and British Gas on the sale of gas from this field and the provision of much-needed revenue to the occupied Palestinian territories, the Palestinians have not realised any benefits.

"Since the blockade of Gaza in 2007, the Israeli government has established de facto control over Gaza’s offshore natural gas reserves. The contractor, British Gas, has since been dealing with the Israeli government, effectively bypassing the Palestinian government regarding exploration and development rights.

"Israel has also taken control of the #Meged oil and natural gas field, located inside the occupied #WestBank. Israel states that the field lies west of the armistice line of 1948, yet most of the reservoir is situated beneath the #PalestinianTerritory occupied since 1967.

"More recently, Israel has begun to develop new oil and gas finds in the Eastern Mediterranean, solely for its own benefit.

"In commandeering and exploiting Palestinian oil and gas resources, Israel is acting in violation of the letter and the spirit of #TheHague Regulations, the Fourth #GenevaConvention and a body of international #humanitarian and #HumanRights law that addresses the exploitation of common resources by an occupying power, without regard for the interest, rights and shares of the #occupied population."

aljazeera.com/opinions/2021/6/

Al Jazeera · Palestine’s forgotten oil and gas resourcesBy Mahmoud Elkhafif

Behind #Israel’s ‘#EndGame’ for #Gaza: Theft of #OffshoreGas reserves

By Betsey Piette
November 14, 2023

"In 1999, #BritishGas (BG) discovered the existence of natural gas in the Gaza Marine fields, 20 nautical miles off the coast of Gaza, at a depth of 610 meters below the surface. Further exploration by BG through two successful wells — Gaza Marine 1 and Gaza Marine 2 — determined the field could contain up to 1 trillion cubic feet of natural gas. (EgyptOil-Gas.com, April 5, 2018)

"The Palestinian Authority was 'granted' the right to exercise sovereignty over its own maritime territory by the Oslo Accords in 1995. Four years later, following the findings of the offshore natural gas, the PA gave the international consortium BG a 25-year, 90% stake in a license to explore, develop any discovered fields, and install the required infrastructure. Since that time Israel has consistently blocked this development.

"In 2002, the PA approved BG’s proposals to construct a pipeline to a processing facility in Gaza. However, the Israeli state delayed this development, arguing that the pipeline should run to an Israeli-controlled port, and that Palestinians would have to supply Gaza Marine surplus fuel to Israel at far below market price.

"When Hamas won the Palestinian legislative elections in Gaza in 2007, Israel established a militarized naval blockade, prohibiting further offshore development. Around the same time, #YamThetis, an Israeli gas consortium, challenged the awarding of the contract to BG, further delaying the process.

"In December 2008, in total contravention of international laws, Israel declared sovereignty over the Gaza Marine area, and BG closed its offices in Tel Aviv.

"#RoyalDutchShell bought out BG’s interests in the #GazaMarineFields for $52 million in 2016. By March 2018, Royal Dutch Shell backed out of their investment, leaving the PA to search for a replacement company to develop the field. (EgyptOil-Gas.com, April 5, 2018)."

Read more:
iacenter.org/2023/11/15/behind

#WorldPol #FreeGaza #FreePalestine #EndTheBlockade #GazaGenocide
#IsraeliWarCrimes #BibiIsAWarCriminal #IsraeliIsAPetroState #BritishGas #PetroCriminals #ShellOil #BigOilAndGas #Oiligarchy #LevantBasin #Starvation #WarCrimes #StolenLand

French President #Macron says France will recognize #Palestine as a state

By ANGELA CHARLTON
Updated 9:34 PM EDT, July 24, 2025

PARIS (AP) — "French President Emmanuel Macron announced Thursday that France will recognize Palestine as a state, in a bold diplomatic move amid snowballing #GlobalAnger over people starving in #Gaza. Israel denounced the decision.

"Macron said in a post on X that he will formalize the decision at the U.N. General Assembly in September. 'The urgent thing today is that the war in Gaza stops and the civilian population is saved,' he wrote.

"The mostly symbolic move puts added diplomatic pressure on Israel as the war and #HumanitarianCrisis in the #GazaStrip rage. France is now the biggest Western power to recognize Palestine, and the move could pave the way for other countries to do the same. More than 140 countries recognize a #PalestinianState, including more than a dozen in Europe.

"The Palestinians seek an independent state in the occupied West Bank, annexed east Jerusalem and Gaza, territories Israel occupied in the 1967 Mideast war. Israel’s government and most of its political class have long been opposed to Palestinian statehood and now say that it would reward militants after Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, attack.

" '’We strongly condemn President Macron’s decision,’' Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement. ‘'Such a move rewards terror and risks creating another Iranian proxy, just as Gaza became. A Palestinian state in these conditions would be a launch pad to annihilate Israel — not to live in peace beside it.' "

apnews.com/article/france-reco

#France #WorldPol #FreeGaza #FreePalestine #EndTheBlockade #GazaGenocide #TwoState
#IsraeliWarCrimes #BibiIsAWarCriminal #IsraeliIsAPetroState #BritishGas #PetroCriminals

French President Emmanuel Macron speaks to the army leaders at the Hotel le Brienne, Sunday, July 13, 2025, ahead of the Bastille Day parade in Paris. (Ludovic Marin, Pool Photo via AP)
AP News · French President Macron says France will recognize Palestine as a stateFrench President Emmanuel Macron has announced that France will recognize Palestine as a state, amid snowballing global anger over people starving in Gaza. Macron said in a post Thursday on X that he will formalize the decision at the United Nations General Assembly in September. “The urgent thing today is that the war in Gaza stops and the civilian population is saved.″ The French president offered support for Israel after the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas attacks and frequently speaks out against antisemitism, but he has grown increasingly frustrated about Israel’s war in Gaza, especially in recent months.

#Palestine protest shuts down city centre road in #Belfast

25 July 2025

"A group of Pro-Palestinian protestors have staged a sit down protest which blocked roads outside Belfast City Hall.

"Traffic was stopped and rerouted on Donegall Street and Chichester Street during the demonstration on Friday evening.

"The protesters held up pictures of malnourished children and banged on pots and pans while chanting 'Free, free Palestine'.

"Police said Donegall Square North was closed for a short time but has since reopened.

"The protest came on the day that more than a third of MPs signed a letter to Prime Minister Sir #KeirStarmer calling for the #UK to recognise a #PalestinianState.

"Some 220 MPs from nine political parties have backed the call - more than half of them Labour - arguing that UK recognition would send a 'powerful' message and a vital step toward a #TwoState solution.

"Northern Ireland MPs #ClaireHanna and #ColumEastwood from the SDLP and Alliance's #SorchaEastwood are among the signatories."

bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c0q8qk

A large group of people sitting across a main road. They are holding red, green and black Palestine flags.
BBC News · Palestine protest shuts down city centre road - BBC NewsPolice say Donegall Square North was closed for a short time but has since reopened.
Replied in thread

@Thebratdragon Hey, at least #BobGeldof has come 'round after getting called out on it. #Bono on the other hand...

#RogerWaters brands Bono ‘disgusting’ over #Israel speech

Waters has been an outspoken critic of the Israeli government

Kevin E G Perry
Wednesday 21 February 2024

the-independent.com/arts-enter

Music legend hits out at Bono and Bob Geldof over Gaza silence

Nov 3, 2024

Music legend #MaryCoughlan has criticised the reaction of Live Aid founder Bob Geldof on Gaza...

dublinlive.ie/news/celebs/musi

#FoodIsLife #WaterIsLife
#FreePalestine #EndGazaGenocide
#IsraeliWarCrimes #BibiIsAWarCriminal
#EndTheBlockade #GazaGenocide

The Independent · Roger Waters brands Bono ‘disgusting’ over Israel speechBy Kevin E G Perry

'A despicable disgrace': #BobGeldof condemns #Israel over #Gaza hunger

Updated / Friday, 25 Jul 2025

"#LiveAid founder Bob Geldof has condemned the Israeli government's role in the Gaza crisis, calling it 'a despicable disgrace' and saying it is deliberately #StarvingChildren.

" 'Their government is clearly out of control, and their army probably as well… It is a despicable disgrace. And for the Israeli people to allow this in their name is a despicable disgrace,' he told Prime Time.

" 'It is so utterly bizarre that we're talking about #Israel, given the horror of their own past. It is bewildering to me,' he said.

" 'I was the founding patron of the #AegisTrust for #GenocideStudies, which is a branch of the British National #HolocaustMuseum. I spent many times with the survivors of the #Holocaust' he told presenter Miriam O’Callaghan, 'were they alive now? They would possibly die of shame. The shame of this, Miriam, the shame for Israel... This is unconscionable.'

"His comments come amid escalating warnings from UN agencies about catastrophic levels of #starvation in Gaza.

"Earlier, Louise Wateridge, a senior emergency officer with #UNRWA, described the situation on the ground as 'completely unbearable,' with people stepping over bodies at aid centres in desperate searches for food.

"She said more than 6,000 aid trucks - half carrying essential food and medical supplies - are currently blocked just outside Gaza by Israeli restrictions.

"#UNICEF also warned that ongoing bombardment and mass displacement have rendered large parts of Gaza inaccessible for #humanitarian operations, with basic health and nutrition services near collapse.

"Mr Geldof appeared on Prime Time after a report featuring footage and images taken in recent days of #malnourished and hungry children in Gaza.

"In the report, #Oxfam aid worker #BushraKhalidi described the actions of Israel as '#CollectivePunishment,' while #CarolineWilleman of #DoctorWithoutBorders, speaking from northern Gaza, told Prime Time that she had never witnessed anything like what she was seeing currently during her career.

"She described how #Palestinian colleagues who are caring for sick and dying children are themselves unable to feed themselves or their own children.

" 'We are witnessing a #genocide,' Ms Willeman said, 'we are witnessing a genocide because we are witnessing people from whom food is being upheld, from whom water is being upheld.'

" 'It literally is beyond our comprehension. Look at your face, look at the aid workers there,' Mr Geldof said, 'What are we living in? I cannot look at those pictures. Obviously, they remind me of 1984, but in completely different circumstances.'

"Between 1983 and 1985 a major #famine erupted in #Ethiopia as a result of #drought and conflict. Footage in the news media drove Mr Geldof and #MidgeUre to found #BandAid in 1984 to raise funds for #FamineRelief initiatives.

"A year later, Live Aid, a two-event concert performed simultaneously in the UK and US was held. It featured some of the most famous music acts in the world at the time."

rte.ie/news/primetime/2025/072

RTE.ie · 'A despicable disgrace': Geldof condemns Israel over Gaza hungerBob Geldof has criticised the Israeli government's role in the Gaza crisis, calling it "a despicable disgrace" amid growing warnings of famine and restricted humanitarian access

Groundbreaking new law allows Cubans to legally change their gender [lead article]

from weekly newsletter of #BellyOfTheBeast video collective [contains text and video links]

Other items:

  • Cubans trapped in #AlligatorAlcatraz denounce "torturous" conditions
  • Under pressure, #Florida hardliner sponsors bill for Cuban immigrants
  • Trump deports a Cuban man to southern Africa
  • #Sanctions more deadly than war, study shows
  • From our hearts to Cuban hearts: initiative sends pacemakers to Cuba
  • Cuba’s lifeline to #Jamaica: 50 years of medical solidarity
  • Cuban parliament scraps presidential age limit
  • U.S. company to pay multimillion dollar fine over Cuba sanctions
  • #UnitedAirlines to halt #Cuba flights amid travel restrictions
  • #US and #Cuban scientists try to save coral reefs

groups.io/g/cubanews/message/4

@cuba
#VivaCuba #LetCubaLive #CubaSi #EndTheBlockade #CubaSolidarity #EndTheEmbargo
#EndSanctionsAgainstCuba #OffTheList
@cubainfo