Colombian President Gustavo Petro says his country will break diplomatic relations with Israel. He's criticised Israel's conduct since the start of the war on Gaza. Petro requested to join South Africa's case at the International Court of Justice accusing Israel of genocide.

Bogotá

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that Israel is 'at war' following a surprise attack from Gaza by Hamas militants.

Israel-Gaza War

Colombia has officially decided to sever its diplomatic relations with Israel, as announced by Colombian President Gustavo Petro. This bold move reflects Colombia's critical stance towards Israel's actions since the onset of the conflict in Gaza. Petro has accused the Israeli government and its president of genocide and has taken steps to align Colombia with South Africa in a legal case against Israel at the International Court of Justice.

The announcement came during a significant public gathering in Bogotá, where President Petro addressed tens of thousands of supporters after the May Day parade. He expressed a firm stance against what he perceives as genocidal actions by the Israeli government, garnering widespread support from those in attendance. Petro emphasized the importance of standing against the extermination of peoples and positioned his government as a protector of humanity. This reflects a sharp critique of Israeli policies in Gaza and marks a moment of solidarity with Palestine.

The Colombian President's decision to break ties with Israel has been met with diverse reactions. Supporters laud the move as a necessary stance for democracy and respect for international law, criticizing Israel for alleged genocide in Palestine. However, this decision is expected to cause division within Colombia, a country that has historically maintained close commercial and military relationships with Israel. Critics of Petro see this as an attempt to garner political support amidst challenges in advancing his domestic agenda.

This development positions Colombia alongside Bolivia and Belize as the third South American country to cut diplomatic relations with Israel in light of the ongoing conflict, making it the most significant nation in the region to take such a step. Despite potential criticism, Petro's move is seen as aligning with a global call to action against the conflict in Gaza, marking his government's stance in the international arena.



Colombia ends diplomatic relations with Israel

President Gustavo Petro made the announcement in front of tens of thousands of his supporters in Bogotá at the end of the May Day parade. 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 and a President who is genocidal. Today, all of humanity, in the streets, by the millions, agrees with us, and we agree with them. The times of genocide, of the extermination of an entire people, cannot return before our eyes. We cannot remain passive. If Palestine dies, humanity dies, and we will not let it die. Petro has been a critic of Israeli actions in Gaza since the start of the war, formally requesting to join South Africa's case accusing Israel of genocide at the International Court of Justice. Israel responded by calling Petro an anti-Semite, but his supporters say their President is right. It's the right and necessary thing to do in countries that pretend to be truly democratic and that respect international law. Israel is committing a genocide, killing children. Cutting ties is the bare minimum necessary to stop Zionism, responsible for the death of thousands of Palestinians. But the decision will be divisive in a country with traditionally close commercial and military ties with Israel. Petro's announcement was a calculated move to shore up support and excite his base at a time when he's struggling to move forward its ambitious social and economic reforms. Colombia is the third country in South America, after Bolivia and Belize, to cut ties with Israel over the war, but it's by far the largest and most important. Two things converged here, major rallies in the country, a moment of great polarization that calls for taking sides, and the expectation of the next attack by Israel in Rafah, which will bring more carnage in Gaza. Petro's decision might not change conditions on the ground, but puts him and his government at the forefront of the growing condemnation against the war. Alessandro Rampietti, Al Jazeera, Bogota.

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Israel-Gaza War