‘If Israel does not stop massacre of Palestinians, we cannot be there’: Colombia warns

Colombian President Gustavo Petro has warned Israel about breaking off diplomatic ties if the country does not stop attacks in the Gaza Strip.

Colombia recalled its ambassador to Israel on Tuesday.

“I have decided to recall our ambassador to Israel for consultations. If Israel does not stop the massacre of the Palestinian people, we cannot be there,” Petro said on X.

“Now the neo-Nazis want the destruction of the Palestinian people, freedom, and culture,” he wrote in X.

Desde muy joven estudie el conflicto palestino israelí y se de la inmensa injusticia que ha sufrido el pueblo palestino desde 1948.

Igual que se de la inmensa injusticia que sufrió el pueblo judío por los nazis en Europa desde 1933.

Si hubiera vivido en la Alemania del 33… https://t.co/IkxuRynaF9

— Gustavo Petro (@petrogustavo) October 8, 2023

“If we have to suspend foreign relations with Israel, we suspend them,” he said on X. “We do not support genocides.”

Si hay que suspender relaciones exteriores con Israel las suspendemos. No apoyamos genocidios.

Al presidente de Colombia no se le insulta.

Convoco a América Laltina a una solidaridad real con Colombia. Y si no es capaz, será el desarrollo de la historia la que dirá la última… https://t.co/WpafrsWkC2

— Gustavo Petro (@petrogustavo) October 15, 2023

His stance led to a reaction from US Embassy in Bogota: “We are dismayed to see Colombian President Gustavo Petro compare the Israeli government with Hitler’s genocidal regime. We strongly condemn your statements and ask that you condemn Hamas, a designated terrorist organization, for the callous murders of Israeli men, women and children.”

–@StateSEAS: Nos consterna ver al presidente colombiano Gustavo Petro comparar al gobierno israelí con el régimen genocida de Hitler. Condenamos enfáticamente sus afirmaciones y le solicitamos que condene a Hamás, una organización designada como terrorista, por los crueles… https://t.co/SP5sUuEnyb

— US Embassy Bogota (@USEmbassyBogota) October 12, 2023

President @petrogustavo:

What you are saying is an insult to the six million victims of the Holocaust and to the Jewish People. Your comments here, and the others on your page completely ignore the hundreds of dead and kidnapped during Hamas’ murderous attack on Israeli… https://t.co/tzYUlCE679

— World Jewish Congress (@WorldJewishCong) October 9, 2023