The President of Colombia, Gustavo Petro, has declared that his country will end its diplomatic relationship with Israel. This announcement came during a speech at a May Day rally in Bogotá, where he again accused Israel of committing genocide in Gaza. “Starting tomorrow, we will no longer have diplomatic relations with Israel because of their genocidal actions,” Petro stated, further noting, “If Palestine perishes, humanity perishes, and we cannot allow that to happen.” The Foreign Minister of Israel, Israel Katz, strongly criticized Petro, saying, “History will remember Petro for siding with the worst villains who have committed heinous acts against humanity.”
This dispute follows the tragic events of 7 October when a Hamas attack in southern Israel resulted in about 1,200 deaths, which intensified the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Petro had previously condemned what he described as “neo-Nazi” tactics aimed at destroying the Palestinian people and their culture. The World Jewish Congress has criticized Petro’s statements as ignoring the Israeli victims and being disrespectful to the Holocaust victims and Jewish community. Israel has accused Petro of supporting the acts of Hamas terrorists and promoting antisemitism, and as a result, summoned the Colombian ambassador. In response to the growing tension, Israel also ceased military support to Colombia.
Historically, Colombia has been a significant ally of Israel in Latin America, having established deep military relations by purchasing advanced weaponry like Israeli Kfir fighter jets, which played a crucial role in Colombia’s internal conflicts. The countries also have a free trade agreement signed in 2020. Despite this, Katz expressed that no leader filled with hate could alter the longstanding warm relations between Israel and Colombia, asserting that Israel will continue to defend its citizens fearlessly.
Colombia’s stance is similar to that of Brazil’s President, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who has also labeled the Gaza conflict as genocide. Both Colombia and Brazil have supported South Africa’s request to the International Court of Justice in The Hague to investigate Israel’s actions in Gaza as potential genocide violations.
Source: Al Jazeera
