The director of the National Center for Sexual Education (CENESEX) and representative of the Cuban regime, Mariela Castro Espín, denied the existence of the Jewish people this Friday and claimed that they victimized themselves to occupy territory.
In a statement on the government-run program Mesa Redonda, the daughter of former Cuban leader Raúl Castro stated that there is a Jewish religion but not a Jewish people, thus correcting spokesperson Randy Alonso after he referenced the Jewish people in a remark about fascism.
"There is no Jewish people, there is a Jewish religion. They really used many Europeans of the Jewish faith, making themselves victims in an exaggerated manner," stated the regime's representative on the television program.
In his speech, he asserted that those people "used biblical myths" to occupy territories in Palestine.
He also stated that this "occupation" was reinforced by "an imperialism" led by the United Kingdom, and later by the United States, "to maintain geopolitical control" over the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea.
In his speech, he insisted: "They are not Hebrews, they are of the Jewish religion and many are Christians as well, but they are neither Hebrews nor Semites."
His participation went even further, as he related Zionism to Nazism, considering it "the worst."
The Zionist power was a "political supremacist movement", he said in reference to Zionism, a nationalist and political movement that emerged in the late 19th century, whose main goal was the creation and maintenance of a state for the Jewish people in their "historical homeland," Palestine.
Castro stated that Zionism "was born a little before Nazism and they were very closely related", linking the Israeli movement with fascism, which he insisted is "now resurging with great strength".
Regarding the military conflict between Israel and the terrorist group Hamas in the Gaza Strip, Raúl's daughter has previously criticized the former and has called for increased violence to "stop it."
The Cuban Jewish community believed at that time that it was a complete ignorance and distortion of the moment and history, in addition to including "a profound antisemitism".
"When you are a public figure, it is impossible to detach yourself from who you are and what you represent, to become a citizen of the world and express your opinions, especially when those opinions reflect a complete lack of understanding and misrepresentation of the moment and history," stated a statement years ago.
They also clarified that Jews are not occupiers of the Middle East, but rather a people who have been forced to live in diaspora for thousands of years.
The words of Mariela Castro, as they considered, "incite hatred towards Jews and threaten the stability and relationships that the community has maintained with the rest of its fellow citizens and religious people."
They also noted that there are Jewish students in schools across the country who, as a result of these statements, could "experience looks and actions that are different from the usual."
Now, from a new platform, Mariela Castro is once again presenting the same discourse.
Frequently Asked Questions about Mariela Castro's Statements and the Israel-Palestine Conflict
What did Mariela Castro assert about the existence of the Jewish people?
Mariela Castro, Director of CENESEX and representative of the Cuban regime, denied the existence of the Jewish people, arguing that what exists is a Jewish religion. She claimed that people of the Jewish faith have victimized themselves to occupy territory in Palestine.
How did Mariela Castro relate Zionism to Nazism?
Mariela Castro linked Zionism to Nazism, describing it as a political supremacist movement. She stated that Zionism emerged shortly before Nazism and that they were very closely related, connecting both to fascism.
How has the Cuban Jewish community responded to Mariela Castro's statements?
The Cuban Hebrew community regarded Mariela Castro's statements as a complete ignorance and distortion of history, as well as a profound example of antisemitism. They asserted that Jews are not occupiers of the Middle East, but rather a people that has lived in diaspora for thousands of years.
What impact can Mariela Castro's statements have on the Jewish community in Cuba?
The statements made by Mariela Castro could incite hatred towards Jews and jeopardize the stability and relationships that the community has maintained with the rest of their fellow citizens and believers. There is concern that Jewish students in Cuba may experience different treatment as a result of these statements.
Filed under:
