“Arrest Netanyahu” was one of the most frequently seen slogans on the banners carried during the demonstration in support of Palestine and Lebanon in Caracas, Venezuela, on Saturday, October 5, 2024. Photo: Luigino Bracci Roa
Thousands of Venezuelans participated in a demonstration in Caracas to express their solidarity with Palestine and reject the genocide committed by the Zionist occupation in Gaza. The march started at the Parque del Este Francisco de Miranda and ended in front of the headquarters of the United Nations (UN). The demonstration was organized by social movements, as well as organizations from the Arab, Palestinian, Persian (Iranian), Syrian, and Lebanese communities, along with various political parties.
The objective of the street protests on Saturday, October 5, was clear. Participants demanded an end to the attacks against Palestine, Lebanon, Iran, Yemen, Syria, and Iraq. They also raised their voices in defense of self-determination and peace. Hindu Anderi, coordinator of the Palestine Solidarity Platform, emphasized this message in a quote to VTV.
The event was attended by the Palestinian ambassador to Venezuela, Fadi Alzaben; the Iranian ambassador, Hojjatollah Soltani; the first vice president of the National Assembly, Pedro Infante; the vice minister for Latin America and the Caribbean, Rander Peña, and various deputies of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV).
Toward the end of the demonstration, a statement was read out that would be delivered to the UN, with a series of requests addressed to the international community.
Iranian Ambassador Hojjatollah Soltani recalled that October 7 will mark one year since Israel’s offensive against the Palestinian people, which has so far left 41,825 dead and 96,910 wounded, according to official sources. The diplomat added that on that day, one year ago, the “operation of slaughter and genocide” by Zionist forces against the Palestinians began.
Ambassador Soltani added, “It is a holocaust that is happening in Palestine, killing 17,000 innocent children is a symbol of the holocaust; killing more than 15,000 women is a symbol of the holocaust. The question is how and who should stop Israel’s killing machine.”
(Video) El Embajador de Irán en Venezuela, Hojjatollah Soltani, en la marcha este sábado en contra del genocidio en LĂbano y Palestina realizado por Israel pic.twitter.com/YMQCsPBJIY
— Luigino Bracci Roa (@lubrio) October 5, 2024
The Iranian diplomat also questioned whether the United Nations Security Council “is not capable for establishing world peace. Should the Security Council not stop the massacre that is taking place in Palestine?”
“The world is suffering from a double standard. The Security Council is being held hostage by the unjust right of some superpowers, especially the United States,” Ambassador Soltani continued, and asked if international law does not work, “what would be the response to defend the sovereignty and dignity of [the targeted]countries.”
Ambassador Soltani said that the answer comes from the unity of the peoples and from a “legitimate, forceful defensive response,” such as that carried out by his country of Iran.
The speeches recalled the leader of the Lebanese resistance movement, Hassan Nasrallah, who was killed in an Israeli attack on Beirut using advanced US made bombs. His legacy of resistance and commitment to continue fighting for freedom and justice were highlighted.
Below is a photo gallery from the demonstration, courtesy of Luigino Bracci:
Translation: Orinoco Tribune
OT/JRE/MCM
