Colombian President Gustavo Petro says Colombia will sever diplomatic ties with Israel over Israel’s prosecution of Gaza war The announcement in Bogota on Wednesday described the Israeli government as “genocide.”
He announced the news in a speech in Colombia’s capital, before cheering crowds gathered to celebrate International Labor Day.
“The era of genocide, of the annihilation of entire peoples, cannot be before our eyes or our passivity,” Mr. Petro said. “If Palestine perishes, humanity perishes.”
Colombia is the second South American country to cut ties with Israel after Bolivia Severing ties in November its attack on Gaza.On the day Bolivia announced the news, Colombia and Chile both said they were recalling their ambassadors to Israel, and Honduras follows Within a few days. Belize also severed diplomatic ties with Israel that month.
The Israeli government condemned Petro’s move on Wednesday.
“History will remember that Gustavo Petro chose to side with the most abominable monsters known to man, who burned babies, killed children, raped women and kidnapped innocent civilians,” Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Ka Israel Katz said. write on X. “Israel and Colombia have always had warm relations. Even an anti-Semitic and hate-filled president will not change that.”
Mr. Petro, Colombia’s first left-wing leader and U.S. critics of its national drug policy. Threatening to sever ties The conflict with Israel is set to begin in March if Israel does not comply with a U.N. Security Council resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.with him call on other countries Do the same thing.In response to this threat, Mr. Katz write on X It is shameful for Mr. Petro to “support Hamas murderers who commit massacres and sexual crimes against Israelis.”
“Israel will continue to protect its citizens and will not yield to any pressure or threats,” he added.
In February, Mr Petro suspended Colombia’s purchase of Israeli weapons after Israeli forces opened fire as a group of people gathered near a convoy of trucks carrying urgently needed aid to Gaza City, part of chaotic scenes that left dozens dead and injured, according to the report. Gaza health officials and the Israeli military said.
“Netanyahu killed more than 100 Palestinians demanding food,” Mr Petro said write on X At the time, the events were compared to the Holocaust “even if world powers were unwilling to admit it”.
“The world must stop Netanyahu,” he added.
