'The Cuban government reiterates its deep concern regarding the continued escalation of violence by Israel in the illegally occupied Palestinian territories, in flagrant violation of the United Nations Charter and international law,' the Cuban Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

Fleeing the rise of fascism in 1959, thousands of Cuban Jews resettled in Florida, carrying with them their rich traditions and a fierce determination to rebuild their lives.

The United States abstained for the first time in 25 years Wednesday on a UN resolution condemning America's economic embargo against Cuba, a measure it had always vehemently opposed. The US was joined in abstaining by Israel, the only other country to stand with the US.

Republican presidential hopeful Ted Cruz lamented that under Obama, the US will open an embassy not in Jerusalem, but in the capital of a Communist country whose leader 'hates America.'