A number of South American nations have lodged diplomatic protests against Israel in response to its latest conflict with Hamas in Gaza. Bolivia’s leftist government went further by fully cutting ties with Israel, accusing it of war crimes and human rights violations.
Bolivia’s decision was announced Tuesday by Minister Maria Nela Prada, who condemned the “attacks on Gaza which have claimed thousands of civilian lives.” Hours later, Chile and Colombia recalled their ambassadors from Israel, while Brazil’s president criticized the airstrikes on Gaza.
Bolivia previously severed relations with Israel in 2009 after an invasion of Gaza, but resumed ties in 2020. Deputy Foreign Minister Freddy Mamani called the new break a “repudiation” of Israel’s “aggressive and disproportionate” actions in Gaza.
Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro recalled his ambassador over Israel’s “massacre of the Palestinian people.” Petro recently compared Israel’s actions to those of Adolf Hitler, prompting a rebuke from Israel accusing him of encouraging Hamas terrorism.
Chile’s President Gabriel Boric also recalled his ambassador to discuss Israel’s “unacceptable violations.” Boric said the over 8,000 civilian victims in Gaza showed Israel’s “collective punishment” of Palestinians.
Brazil’s President Lula da Silva criticized Israel’s prime minister for “wanting to destroy Gaza” and killing “women and children.” On Tuesday, after reports that dozens died in an Israeli strike on a Gaza refugee camp, Lula tweeted: “Stop! For the love of God, stop!”
The protests reflect growing South American opposition to Israel’s operations in Gaza amid mounting civilian casualties.
