Colombian president Gustavo Petro announced on Wednesday that the country will sever diplomatic ties with Israel over its handling of the Gaza war.
Speaking at a public event in the country, Petro assured that "humankind on the streets agrees with us: we can't go back to a time of genocide, to the extermination of a people before our eyes. If Palestine dies, humankind will die and we won't let it die," he said.
Petro has been highly critical of Israel since the onset of the war, which followed an attack by Hamas (considered a terrorist organization by the United States and the European Union) where 1,200 Israelis were killed and over 200 taken hostage.
Colombia was among the first countries to take diplomatic measures against Israel, recalling its ambassador for consultations in early November, shortly after the war began. In Latin America, Chile made the same decision then, while Bolivia severed ties altogether.
Petro has also been criticized for his approach to the issue, considering he never condemned the actions by Hamas.
Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz quickly condemned Petro's announcement, saying he "chose to stand side by side with the most despicable monsters known by humankind, those who burned babies, murdered children, raped women and kidnapped innocent civilians."
El presidente de Colombia prometió premiar a los asesinos y violadores de Hamás - y hoy cumplió su promesa.
— ישראל כ”ץ Israel Katz (@Israel_katz) May 1, 2024
La historia recordará que Gustavo Petro @petrogustavo decidió ponerse del lado de los monstruos más despreciables conocidos por la humanidad que quemaron bebés, asesinaron…
"Relations between Israel and Colombia have always been warm, and no antisemitic president can change that. Israel will continue to protect its citizens without fear," he added in a post in X, formerly Twitter.
Meanwhile, negotiations between the warring parties about a potential cease-fire continue. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken urged Hamas on Wednesday to accept the latest offer made by Israel, saying it was "very strong." "Hamas needs to say yes and needs to get this done," he said. Israel estimates 129 hostages remain captive in Gaza, 34 of whom are presumed dead.
Hamas, whose envoys returned from Cairo talks to their base in Qatar, said its members would "discuss the ideas and the proposal." "We are keen to respond as quickly as possible," said a member of the group, according to AFP.
Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, on his end, vowed to send the army to the southern city of Rafah amid concern for the over million Palestinians who have sought refuge there.
"We will enter Rafah and we will eliminate the Hamas battalions there with or without a deal," he said.
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