IRIA News

While Western and North American countries have offered full diplomatic and political support to Israel and its military campaign in Gaza, diplomatic relations between Israel and South American countries have deteriorated immensely over civilian deaths caused by Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip.

Bolivia has become the first country to completely sever its diplomatic ties with Tel Aviv over its ongoing military campaign in Gaza that has resulted in thousands of civilian deaths. Bolivia “decided to break diplomatic relations with the Israeli state in repudiation and condemnation of the aggressive and disproportionate Israeli military offensive taking place in the Gaza Strip,” Deputy Foreign Minister Freddy Mamani said at a press conference.

The decision came after Bolivia’s Miniter of the Presidency Maria Nela Prada, met with Palestine’s ambassador to the South American countries. In addition to dissolving diplomatic ties with Israel, Bolivia’s government also “demands the end of attacks in the Gaza Strip, which have so far led to thousands of civilian deaths, and the forced displacement of Palestinian people,” Mamani said in her statement.

BREAKING: Bolivia ends relations with Israel

Minister of the Presidency: “We are sending this official communication to the State of Israel, in which, as stated, we make known our decision as the Plurinational State of Bolivia to break diplomatic relations with Israel.” pic.twitter.com/bva4ohl5yl

— Kawsachun News (@KawsachunNews) October 31, 2023

Other Latin American countries, including Argentina and Brazil, have also increased their criticism of the impact of Israel’s military operations and airstrikes on Palestinian civilians.

Israel criticizes South American countries

Israel criticized Bolivia, Chile and Colombia after the South American countries took diplomatic actions to protest Israel’s military operations against Hamas in Gaza.

Israel’s foreign minister released a statement saying that “The government of Bolivia’s decision to cut diplomatic ties with Israel is a surrender to terrorism and to the Ayatollah’s regime in Iran.” The statement added that “By taking this step, the Bolivian government is aligning itself with the Hamas terrorist organization.” Israel called on Colombia and Chile to “explicitly condemn the Hamas terrorist organization, which slaughtered and abducted babies, children, women and the elderly,” according to a statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Israel’s foreign ministry also referred to Bolivia’s historic opposition to Tel Aviv, “In any case, since the change of government in Bolivia, relations between the countries have been devoid of content.”

Bolivia broke its diplomatic ties with Israel in 2009 over the same issue. The 2009 diplomatic cutoff came under the government of President Evo Morales, which was also in protest against Israel’s attacks in Gaza. In 2020, the government of interim President Jeanine Anez reestablished ties with Tel Aviv.

On October 31, at least 195 Palestinians were reported killed in Israel’s bombing of Jabalia refugee camp, which the UN says may be “disproportionate attacks that could amount to war crimes”. As the number of casualties continue to soar, many hospitals in Gaza have been forced to shut down after running out of fuel.

Colombia and Chille recall envoys

Bolivian President Luis Arce has been vocal about Israel’s war crimes in Gaza. “We reject the war crimes being committed in Gaza. We support international initiatives to guarantee humanitarian aid, in compliance with international law,” Arce said on social media. 

Colombia and Chile have recalled their diplomatic missions from Israel while registering their protest against the civilian deaths in Gaza. Colombian President Gustavo Petro and his Chilean counterpart Gabriel Boric Font announced the recalling of their countries’ ambassadors to Israel. “Colombia does not support genocides” Colombian President Gustavo Petro said on social media.

Colombia no apoya genocidios. https://t.co/V10UVhITTV

— Gustavo Petro (@petrogustavo) November 2, 2023

In a statement, Chile accused Israel of refusing to respect international laws and said its airstrikes were a “collective punishment of the Palestinian civilian population in Gaza.”

Along with Africa, Asia, and particularly the Middle East, Israel’s reputation in the South American region has also been deteriorating in recent times. Israel enjoyed good relations with Colombia for several years, however, the relations between the two countries have been strained severely following Israel’s attack on Gaza. 

When Israel’s defense minister described Hamas as “human animals” in his statement, Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro countered it by saying that “This is what the Nazis said about the Jews.” Israel protested Petro’s comments and said that it was cutting off security exports to Colombia. 

Other Latin American countries, such as Mexico and Brazil, have also called for a ceasefire. “What we have now is the insanity of Israel’s prime minister, who wants to wipe out the Gaza Strip,” said Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

Jordan recalls ambassador from Israel

Meanwhile, Israel’s neighbor Jordan has also announced on November 2 that it is “immediately” recalling its ambassador from Israel over “unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe”. Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi said the country decided to immediately recall Jordan’s ambassador to Israel to protest “against inhumane war on Gaza that killed thousands of Palestinian civilians”.

Casualties in Gaza

According to Gaza’s health ministry, at least 8,796 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since October 7. The victims include more than 3,600 children and 2,290 women. As many as 22,219 people are injured in Gaza Strip due to constant attacks by Israel, ministry spokesman Ashraf al-Qudra told a news conference.