Colombian ex-president likens ties with Israel under Netanyahu to 'applauding Gaza genocide'

Former Colombian President Gustavo Petro said on Sunday that establishing relations with Israel while Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu remains in power amounts to "applauding the genocide in Gaza."

Pointing out in a video message that most of those killed in Gaza, where Israel continues its attacks, are women and babies, Petro said: "Establishing relations with Israel while the Netanyahu government is in power means applauding a genocide in which 22,000 babies have been killed."

He said Colombia had also experienced "genocide" in its past and stressed that "humanity must not allow a new Holocaust in the world."

He underlined that full sovereignty should be ensured for both the state of Israel and the state of Palestine.

Colombia announced on May 3, 2024, that it had severed diplomatic relations with Israel over its attacks against the Palestinian people in Gaza.

Petro instructed authorities on May 23, 2024, to open the Colombian Embassy in Ramallah.

In a statement on July 21, Petro described Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella's pledge to reestablish diplomatic relations with Israel as "an insult to national honor."