Colombia this month became the latest country to sever ties with Israel over its war with Hamas. It is also the largest country to sever ties with Israel who is a long-time defense ally and trade partner of the Latin American nation. Colombia is considered the most important U.S. ally in the region. Apart from the purchase of Israeli weapons in its decades-long fight against guerrilla groups and drug traffickers, Colombia has received Israeli training and intelligence support.
Making the announcement on May 1st, Colombia’s president Gustavo Petro, its first leftist president said Israel’s government and president are genocidal. He added, “If Palestine dies, humanity dies, and we won’t let it die.” Petro has been very critical of Israel and called for other countries to take action against it.
Back in November 2023, Colombia joined Chile in withdrawing their ambassadors from Israel. The withdrawal followed Bolivia’s move to sever ties with Israel. Honduras followed suit when it suspended diplomatic relations with Israel on November 4 and Belize then announced it was suspending ties with Israel on November 14.
Israel’s Foreign Minister, Israel Katz in response to Colombia’s move called Petro “an anti-Semitic president, full of hatred.”
IN related news, on Sunday, Israel ordered Qatar’s Al Jazeera satellite news network to close for 45 days. Al Jazeera says it will challenge what it deems as suppression of the free press and a violation of international and humanitarian law.
President Benjamin Netanyahu accused that Al Jazeera reporters harmed Israel’s security and incited against soldiers.
Israel last month passed a law allowing the government to take action against any foreign channel seen as “harming the country.”
