South American Countries Condemn Israel’s Offensive in Gaza, Bolivia Cuts Ties
In a display of solidarity, several South American countries have voiced their strong opposition to Israel’s ongoing offensive against Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Bolivia has taken the most drastic action by severing diplomatic ties with Israel, while Chile and Colombia have recalled their ambassadors from Tel Aviv. Brazil has also called for an immediate end to the killing of innocent children in Gaza.
The South American left-wing governments have intensified their criticism as the death toll of Palestinians continues to rise due to Israeli airstrikes and shelling. Thousands of Palestinian fatalities have been reported by health officials in Gaza. Bolivia’s deputy foreign minister, Freddy Mamani Machaca, stated that his government is cutting ties with Israel due to its aggressive and disproportionate military offensive, which he believes poses a threat to international peace and security.
MarÃa Nela Prada, Bolivia’s interim foreign minister, has demanded an immediate halt to Israeli attacks, citing the thousands of civilian casualties and forced displacement of Palestinians. She has also called for an end to the obstruction of humanitarian aid and the work of international organizations in Gaza.
Israel’s Foreign Ministry, in response to these criticisms, has accused Bolivia of aligning itself with the Hamas terrorist organization. Israel claims that Hamas has caused death and destruction in Israel, referring to an incident on October 7 in which 1,400 people were killed and 240 hostages were taken.
Israel explains that its offensive in the Gaza Strip aims to dismantle Hamas, which has been in control of the territory since 2007. However, South American countries such as Chile and Colombia have condemned Israel’s actions. Chilean President Gabriel Boric criticized Israel’s airstrikes, stating that they amounted to collective punishment in Gaza and violated international humanitarian law. Colombian President Gustavo Petro went even further, labeling Israel’s actions as a massacre of the Palestinian people and calling the Israeli Prime Minister a criminal against humanity.
Tensions between Israel and several leftist governments in South America have been strained for many years. Former Bolivian President Evo Morales, who severed ties with Israel in 2009 following its military actions in Gaza, has referred to Israel as a terrorist state and called for the Israeli Prime Minister to be tried for war crimes in an international tribunal.
While some believe that the South American leaders’ criticisms of Israel are rooted in principled concerns, others argue that it serves as a proxy for a broader worldview that considers the United States and its allies as adversaries. Regardless, Israel faces an uphill battle in winning hearts and minds across Latin America.
In conclusion, South American countries have united in their condemnation of Israel’s offensive in Gaza, with Bolivia going so far as to sever diplomatic ties. The high number of civilian casualties and forced displacement of Palestinians have triggered strong reactions from the region’s left-wing governments. Israel defends its actions as necessary to dismantle Hamas, but criticism from South America persists. The strained relationship between Israel and several South American nations is not likely to be resolved anytime soon.
