What happened?
- Colombian President Gustavo Petro announced the suspension of diplomatic relations with Israel, citing the Israeli government’s actions in Gaza as “genocidal” and comparing the situation to the Holocaust.
- The decision represents a significant shift in Colombia’s policy, as the country has historically been a key ally of Israel in South America, with cooperation in military and educational programs.
- Colombia is the second South American country to sever ties with Israel after Bolivia did so in November following Gaza attacks.
What is international media saying: - The decision to break diplomatic ties represents a significant shift in Colombia’s policy, as the country has historically been a key ally of Israel in South America. (BBC, New York Times, Yahoo, Washington Examiner)
- The Israeli government criticized Petro’s move, accusing him of siding with “abominable monsters.” (BBC, New York Times, Yahoo, Washington Examiner)
- The future of the diplomatic rupture with Israel will depend on Petro, and the hostile rhetoric between the two countries makes a friendly outcome difficult. (New York Times, BBC, Washington Examiner)
What is Israeli media saying: - In response, Israel suspended security exports to Colombia, prompting Bogota to expel Israel’s envoy, and Israel’s Foreign Minister, Israel Katz labeled Petro as “antisemitic and full of hatred.” (Times of Israel, Mako)
- Katz emphasized the historically warm relations between Colombia and Israel and rejected Petro’s decision as an act of antisemitism. (i24news)
- The tensions between Colombia and Israel reflect a broader trend in Latin America, with countries like Bolivia, Chile, and Colombia recalling their ambassadors from Israel for consultation, while Brazil and Mexico called for an immediate ceasefire. (Times of Israel, Mako)
What is Arab media saying: - Petro has criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and supports a lawsuit against Israel for genocide. (Balkans Aljazeera)
- Israel condemned Petro’s stance, accusing him of supporting Hamas terrorists, and halted security exports to Colombia after Petro’s remarks about Gaza and Nazism. (Hurriyet Daily News, New Arab, Al Bayan)
- Israel condemned Petro’s stance, accusing him of supporting Hamas terrorists, and halted security exports to Colombia after Petro’s remarks about Gaza and Nazism. (Hurriyet Daily News, New Arab, Al Bayan)
- Colombia joined other countries like Bolivia, Belize, and South Africa in severing or suspending ties with Israel, and a Colombian teacher supported Petro’s decision, citing the avoidance of being complicit in murder. (Hurriyet Daily News)
Sources: - Jerusalem Post
- Times of Israel – Sever Ties
- Times of Israel – Katz Slams
- BBC – Mundo
- BBC – Portuguese
- New York Times
- Washington Post
- CNN
- Spiegel
- Balkans Aljazeera
- Yahoo News – Ending Ties
- Jewish Press
- Alarabiya
- Mako
- Ahram
- i24news
- Washington Examiner
- Al Arabiya
- Ahram.org.eg
- Hurriyet Daily News
- Al Bayan
- New Arab
