Colombian President Gustavo Petro, a staunch critic of Israel’s war in Gaza, says the Israeli government is ‘genocidal’.

Colombian President Gustavo Petro has announced plans to cut diplomatic ties with Israel over its war in the Gaza Strip, which human rights advocates and other experts have warned could amount to genocide.

Speaking to a crowd marking International Workers’ Day in Bogota on Wednesday, Petro said countries cannot be passive in the face of the crisis unfolding in Gaza.

“Here in front of you, the government of change, of the president of the republic, announces that tomorrow we will break diplomatic relations with the state of Israel … for having a government, for having a president who is genocidal,” Petro said.

A left-wing leader who came to power in 2022, Petro is considered part of a progressive wave known as the “pink tide” in Latin America. He has been one of the region’s most vocal critics of Israel since the start of the Gaza war.

In October, just days after the conflict began, Israel said it was “halting security exports” to Colombia after Petro accused Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant of using language similar to what the “Nazis said of the Jews”.

And in February, Colombia suspended Israeli weapons purchases after Israeli forces opened fire on Palestinians scrambling for food aid in Gaza — an event Petro said “recalls the Holocaust”.

Meanwhile, in early April, the Colombian government requested to join a case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) accusing Israel of genocide.

“Colombia’s ultimate goal in this endeavour is to ensure the urgent and fullest possible protection for Palestinians in Gaza, in particular such vulnerable populations as women, children, persons with disabilities and the elderly,” the country said.

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  • macabrett[they/them]
    12·
    7 months ago

    You should read Against Empire by Michael Parenti to understand the motives behind US foreign policy. It is not that Isreal has their hand up our ass. As then Senator Biden once said, “Were there not an Israel, the United States of America would have to invent an Israel to protect her interests in the region.”

    I really think you’d find that Parenti book a fascinating read.

    • john89@lemmy.ca
      2·
      7 months ago

      I’ve heard that a lot, and apparently most people understand it for what it really means.

      It means that Israel is necessary to suppress cultures that do not align with Western values.

      Notice how the West gets Israel to keep tabs on its enemies, but its enemies don’t get something similar to keep tabs on the West? It’s all about suppression and dominance.