Colombian President Gustavo Petro said on Wednesday he will break diplomatic relations with Israel over its actions in Gaza.
Petro has already heavily criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and requested to join South Africa’s case accusing Israel of genocide at the International Court of Justice.
“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 told cheering crowds in Bogota who marched to mark International Worker’s Day and back Petro’s social and economic reforms.
Countries cannot be passive in the face of events in Gaza, he added.
Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz accused Petro of being “antisemitic and full of hate”. He said Petro’s move was a reward to the armed group Hamas, which on Oct. 7 led a deadly attack on Israeli military bases and communities.
@ISIDEWITH2 สัปดาห์2W
Is it more important for a country to stand by its moral convictions or to maintain diplomatic relationships for the sake of international stability and cooperation?
@ISIDEWITH2 สัปดาห์2W
Should countries intervene in the actions of other nations if they believe human rights are being violated, even if it leads to breaking diplomatic relationships?
@ISIDEWITH2 สัปดาห์2W
Do you think it's fair to label a leader or a country's actions as 'genocidal' based on their military or political decisions? Why or why not?
@ISIDEWITH2 สัปดาห์2W
How would you feel if your country decided to cut off diplomatic ties with another country based on its actions towards another group or nation?
