Colombia severes diplomatic relations with Israel
Colombian President Gustavo Petro struck a significant blow in May 2024, announcing the severance of diplomatic ties with Israel over allegations of genocidal actions during its war in Gaza.
In a passionate speech at a May Day rally in Bogotá, Petro denounced Israel's war on Gaza, stating, "Tomorrow [Thursday], diplomatic relations with the state of Israel will be severed, because of them having a government, for having a president that is genocidal."
Petro's sentiments echoed a fierce critique of Israel's military actions, which he viewed as a grave violation of human rights and a tragic affliction on the Palestinian people. His stance was a bold stand against the actions he considered to be nothing short of genocide, earning him both international acclaim and condemnation.
Hamas, a key player in the Middle East conflict, welcomed Petro's move as a "victory," urging other Latin American countries to follow suit. However, Israel voiced its disdain for Petro, branding him as an "antisemitic and hateful" figure. Israel's Foreign Minister, Israel Katz, went as far as to claim that Petro was rewarding "murderers and rapists," inflaming an already heated diplomatic feud.
As tensions rose, both Israel and Colombia imposed visa requirements on each other's citizens, effectively restricting travel and exacerbating the diplomatic rift. Colombia's decision to sever ties came amid growing international pressure on Israel to cease its military actions and bring an end to the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip.
It is important to note that Colombia's stance marked a significant shift in Latin American politics, with several other countries, including Bolivia, Belize, and South Africa, taking similar actions or considering suspension of ties with Israel over the Gaza conflict. The world now waits to see how this diplomatic move will shape the ongoing struggle in the Middle East and the geopolitical landscape of the region going forward.
References:[1] "Colombia cuts ties with Israel over Gaza conflict," Al Jazeera, May 2024.[2] "Colombia's Gustavo Petro Calls Israel's Gaza War a 'Genocide,' Vows to Cut Ties," Haaretz, May 2024.[3] "Colombia names first ambassador to Palestinian Authority," Reuters, June 2025.[4] "Israel imposes visa restrictions on Colombian travelers in response to diplomatic row," JTA, June 2025.
- The international media extensively covered Colombia's severance of diplomatic ties with Israel, with analysts providing in-depth analysis of the political implications in the context of war-and-conflicts in the Middle East.
- In a bid to show solidarity with Palestinians, general news outlets reported an increase in coverage focusing on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, underscoring the urgency for Israel to adhere to basic human rights.
- As the media circuits buzzed with news about Colombia's stance and Israel's retaliation, debates popped up in politics forums and social media platforms, raising questions about Israel's military actions and its relationship with Latin America.
- With diplomatic tensions mounting, news outlets welcomed the appointment of Colombia's first ambassador to the Palestinian Authority as a significant shift in its foreign policy, closely monitoring the Palestinian-Israeli question and broadcasting its development in subsequent months.
