Colombia-Israel Spat Over Gaza Conflict Intensifies

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Tensions have escalated between Colombia and Israel following the recent Israel-Hamas conflict. Colombia’s President, Gustavo Petro, is at the center of the dispute, having likened Israel’s actions to those of the Nazis. Israel has responded by accusing Petro of endangering Jewish lives and supporting Hamas terrorists with his statements.

Petro’s Controversial Remarks

The diplomatic disagreement began after Hamas’s unprecedented attacks on October 7, when Petro used social media to denounce what he termed “neo-Nazi” efforts to destroy Palestinian people, freedom, and culture. These remarks drew criticism from the World Jewish Congress, which accused Petro of disregarding the hundreds of Israeli civilian victims. It described Petro’s statement as an insult to Holocaust victims and the Jewish people.

The Colombian President returned to social media the following day, responding to claims by Israel’s Defense Minister, Yoav Galant, that Israeli troops were fighting “human animals” in Gaza. “This is what the Nazis said about the Jews,” Petro tweeted, warning that such hate speech could lead to another Holocaust.

Israel Responds Forcefully

In reaction to Petro’s comments, Israel announced a halt to security exports to Colombia and summoned Colombia’s ambassador, Margarita Manjarrez, for an official reprimand. The Israeli statement condemned Petro’s interventions, asserting that they support the actions of Hamas terrorists, inflame antisemitism, and threaten the safety of the Jewish community in Colombia.

The Colombian president hit back, stating, “You do not insult the president of Colombia,” and suggested suspending relations with Israel. He reiterated his comparison of the situation in Gaza to Auschwitz, adding that “Hitler will be defeated for the good of humanity, democracy, peace and world freedom.”

Fallout Continues

Colombia’s Foreign Minister, Álvaro Leyva Durán, joined the fray, criticizing the Israeli ambassador’s “mindless boorishness” towards Petro. While he denied ordering the expulsion of Ambassador Dagan, he emphasized the importance of treating the Colombian president with respect.

The reactions from Latin America to the Israel-Hamas conflict have not been uniform. While Mexico’s government has been criticized by Israel for not taking a more energetic stance towards the crisis, Brazil’s President, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, has condemned the terrorist attacks suffered by Israel and called for an end to the war.

The diplomatic spat between Colombia and Israel highlights the divisive global responses to the recent conflict and the challenges in navigating the complex dynamics of international relations.