BOLIVIA: Bolivia, citing “aggressive and disproportionate” military actions in Gaza, has severed diplomatic ties with Israel, making it the first nation in Latin America to do so.
The nation has called for a truce and pledged to send aid to the Gaza Strip under siege. Israeli officials deemed the move a surrender to terrorism. Bolivian Foreign Minister Freddy Mamani stated that the government severed relations in repudiation of the Israeli military offensive in the Gaza Strip.
“The entry of food, water, and other essential elements for life” was being prevented by Israel’s embargo, he continued, adding that the nation wanted it to cease.
Gaza has been under Israeli siege for weeks, with only occasional life-saving supplies through Egypt’s Rafah crossing. Lior Haiat added that Israel condemns Bolivia’s support of terrorism and its submission to the Iranian regime, expressing its values.
Iran is accused of aiding Hamas in the October 7 attacks, but its authorities have praised the violence but denied any involvement. Not just Bolivia, but several nations in Latin America have initiated diplomatic measures against Israel.
Chile’s president, Gabriel Boric, announced that Chile’s ambassador will be called back for consultations due to “Israel’s violations of international humanitarian law in the Gaza Strip.”
“Chile strongly condemns and observes with great concern that these military operations – which at this point in their development entail collective punishment of the Palestinian civilian population in Gaza,” Boric wrote on X.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro calls for consultation with Israel’s ambassador, stating they cannot be present if Israel doesn’t stop the massacre. Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva recommends a ceasefire, stating the majority of casualties are children.
The Hamas-run health ministry has reported 8,500 war deaths in Gaza, with 3,500 children among the casualties. Since the October 7 attack, Israel has been bombarding Gaza.
Charity organisations caution that the 66 vehicles that the US said on Tuesday were able to deliver aid inside Gaza will not be sufficient.
Bolivia and Israel had reestablished diplomatic ties in 2019, after a 2009 severed relationship in protest of Israel’s activities in Gaza. President Luis Arce of Bolivia called Israel’s actions in Gaza “war crimes” on X after meeting with Palestinian envoy to Bolivia Mahmoud Elalwani.
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