Intellectuals Denounce Palestinian Genocide and Economic Asphyxiation of Cuba

The Network of Intellectuals, Artists, and Social Movements in Defense of Humanity (EDH) on Tuesday condemned the genocide in Palestine and the blockade against Cuba, and called for raising "trenches of ideas" against fascism.

In a declaration issued within the framework of the First International Colloquium "Fidel: Legacy and Future" and the 34th Havana International Book Fair, the participants denounced that the U.S. government and its allies apply "with total impunity the law of the strongest" and create "an unbreathable climate of McCarthyism" that turns international law guarantees into dead letter.

The text, released on the 90th anniversary of the assassination of poet Federico García Lorca at the hands of fascism, was signed by intellectuals, artists, and activists gathered at Casa de las Américas.

The Network stated that "a cruel genocidal policy is being carried out against two peoples who resist: the atrocious project of extermination of the Palestinian people; and the silent genocide, without bombs for now, against the Cuban people," through a ruthless plan of economic asphyxiation.

Likewise, it warned that the Latin American far right, "following to the letter the orders of the emperor, seems determined to return the region to the dark days of the National Security Doctrine and Operation Condor," and strives to revive "a fierce anticommunism."

In the United States, they denounced, acts of repression against migrants, Latinos, Blacks, and anti-fascist militants are multiplying, while in Europe fascist parties, xenophobia, and hate speech are growing.

The EDH Network, created in 2003 with the decisive support of Fidel Castro and Hugo Chávez, set out to denounce the genocide against Palestine and Cuba; defend popular political alternatives against fascism; and contribute to the unity of leftist forces "without any kind of sectarianism."

Additionally, it aims to work to reach new sectors, particularly young people, and to give the highest priority to the communication war.

The document closes with an energetic demand to respect the island's right to peace, to release the constitutional president of Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro, and deputy Cilia Flores, as well as to cease racist repression against migrants and McCarthyist harassment in the United States.