Palestinian refugees in Lebanon assessed the Cuban Revolution''s victory, repelling the mercenary attack against Playa Giron in 1961, as a heroic deed with great validity and an inspiration in their struggle against Israel.
Summoned by the League of Palestinian Graduates from Cuban Universities, people with different political leanings, met today at Shatila refugee camp, in the south of Beirut, to commemorate the date April 19, which marked the first important defeat of the US imperialism in Latin America.
'If it were not for the victory in Giron (also known as Bay of Pigs), led by Fidel (Castro), Cuba would not exist today,' asserted Ali el-Khatib, leader of the aforementioned group of graduates, in a ceremony attended by the Cuban chargé d'affaires to this country, Raul Madrigal.
After highlighting the lessons learned from the Cuban revolutionary process, El-Khatib added that Cuba and Palestine are still facing the same enemies today, in a clear reference to the United States and Israel, but despite such a powerful adversary, the island nation always unstinting in its solidarity.
'The revolution commanded by Fidel Castro proved the need for the unity of forces in any emancipating venture... granted hundreds of scholarships to us and never stopped supporting the Palestinian people and others in the world, despite material shortage,' he said.
Several orators in the meeting told their experiences as students in Cuba or in the struggle against Zionist occupation, and praised the words by Madrigal, who highlighted that where there was courage, determination and unity, victory was possible, no matter how strong the enemy could be.