Colombia cuts ties with Israel over “genocidal” Gaza campaign. President Gustavo Petro declared that Colombia would sever diplomatic relations with Israel during a May Day rally in Bogota.
The decision comes amidst escalating tensions following the Israeli offensive in Gaza, which Petro denounced as “genocidal.”
“Tomorrow (Thursday) diplomatic relations with the state of Israel will be severed… for having a genocidal president.”
His remarks directly targeted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whom he accused of leading a campaign of genocide in Gaza.
President’s Criticism of Gaza Assault:
President Petro has been a vocal critic of the Israeli assault on Gaza, which was sparked by an unprecedented attack by Hamas militants on southern Israel.
The conflict resulted in a significant loss of civilian lives, with Israeli figures reporting the deaths of approximately 1,170 people, predominantly civilians.
In his address to supporters, Petro condemned the retaliatory offensive by Israel, stating that it had claimed the lives of at least 34,568 people in Gaza, the majority being women and children, according to the health ministry in the Hamas-run territory.
Condemnation from Israel:
Israel swiftly responded to President Petro’s announcement, denouncing him as “anti-Semitic and hateful” and accusing him of siding with Hamas militants.
Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz condemned Petro’s stance, asserting that it amounted to rewarding “Hamas murderers and rapists.”
“The Colombian president has promised to reward Hamas murderers and rapists — and today he delivered,” Foreign Minister Israel Katz said on X.
“History will remember that Gustavo Petro decided to stand by the most despicable monsters humanity has known, who burned babies, murdered children, raped women and kidnapped innocent civilians,” Katz added.
The Israeli government also criticized Petro’s previous comments, including accusations against Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and comparisons to Nazi rhetoric.
Background:
Tensions between Colombia and Israel have been escalating since Petro’s earlier criticisms of Israel’s actions in Gaza.
In October, Israel announced the halting of security exports to Colombia after Petro accused Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant of using language similar to that of the Nazis.
This led to a diplomatic spat, with Israel summoning Colombia’s ambassador in response to Petro’s comments.
Impact on Relations:
Colombia’s decision to sever diplomatic ties with Israel marks a significant shift in its foreign policy, particularly regarding the Middle East conflict.
The move is likely to strain relations between the two countries, which have historically maintained strong diplomatic and military ties.
Colombia’s armed forces use Israeli-made weapons and aircraft, and the country has previously been a purchaser of Israeli weapons.
Support for Palestinian Cause:
President Petro’s stance aligns with his support for the Palestinian cause and echoes sentiments expressed by other leaders in the region.
Petro has previously voiced support for Brazil’s President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who also drew criticism from Israel for condemning its actions in Gaza.
Both Colombia and Brazil supported South Africa’s complaint against Israel to the International Court of Justice, alleging that the Gaza assault constituted a breach of the Genocide Convention.
Reaction from Colombian Citizens:
As Colombia cuts ties with Israel over “genocidal” Gaza campaign, the announcement by President Petro has garnered mixed reactions from the Colombian public.
While some, like May Day demonstrator Sandra Gutierrez, have welcomed the decision, others have expressed concerns about the potential ramifications for Colombia’s international relations and security interests.
