Mixed reactions to Colombia’s decision to break diplomatic ties with Israel

President Gustavo Petro’s decision to sever ties between Colombia and Israel triggered mixed reactions, most notably from western Asia.

Israel’s Foreign Minister Israel Katz said that Petro had “complied with his promise” to “award the murderers and rapists” of Palestinian armed group Hamas.

Foreign Minister Israel Katz

Palestine’s President Mahmoud Abbas thanked Colombia “for being on the right side of history.”

President Mahmoud Abbas

In Colombia, Petro’s decision was praised by coalition politicians and condemned by far-right members of the congressional opposition.

According to coalition Senator Ivan Cepeda , “it was about time” to break ties with Israel because of the ‘genocide” in the occupied Palestinian territory around the Mediterranean city of Gaza.

Senator Ivan Cepeda

Members of far-right opposition party Democratic Center rejected the decision because of the possible negative effects on bilateral trade and security cooperation.

House Representative Juan Espinal

The Confederation of the Jewish Communities of Colombia said to “deeply regret” the president’s announcement, claiming that Israel was at war with a “terrorist organization that seeks its destruction.”

Confederation of the Jewish Communities of Colombia

The Jewish organization said it rejected Petro’s claim that the government of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was committing a genocide in the Gaza Strip.

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