Latin American Countries Recall Envoys, End Diplomatic Ties with Israel over Gaza Assault

Bolivia "decided to break diplomatic relations with the Israeli state in repudiation and condemnation of the aggressive and disproportionate Israeli military offensive taking place in the Gaza Strip," Deputy Foreign Minister Freddy Mamani announced the country's decision during a press conference.

Minister of the Presidency Maria Nela Prada also confirmed that Bolivia would provide humanitarian aid to Gaza, emphasizing the need for an end to the attacks in Gaza that have resulted in numerous civilian casualties and the forced displacement of Palestinians.

Colombia and Chile, two neighboring countries, have also recalled their ambassadors in Tel Aviv, expressing their condemnation of civilian deaths in Gaza and calling for a ceasefire. Chilean President Gabriel Boric criticized the Zionist regime for "unacceptable violations of International Humanitarian Law" and a policy of "collective punishment" against the people of Gaza.

Chile, which boasts one of the largest Palestinian communities outside the Arab world, has historical ties to the Palestinian cause. Colombian President Gustavo Petro referred to the Gaza attacks as a "massacre of the Palestinian people."

Bolivia’s Ambassador to the UN Diego Pary explained Bolivia’s position in an address to the UN General Assembly on Tuesday afternoon, saying, “Free Palestine is not just a cause of the Palestinian people, but rather a question of global justice and peace.”

“Once again, I reiterate, you are not alone. Bolivia stands with you and the peoples of the world are with you,” he added.

Various other Latin American nations, including Mexico and Brazil, have also called for a ceasefire in the region.

Bolivia's decision to end diplomatic relations with Israel is one of the first such announcements related to the current conflict.

This conflict began after the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas on October 7 launched a significant operation dubbed ‘al-Aqsa Storm” against the Israeli military with a heavy barrage of rockets in response to the Zionist regime’s desecration of the Al-Aqsa Mosque and its campaign of aggression, violation, and bloodshed against Palestinians.

In response, the Israeli regime began a relentless assault on Gaza civilian neighborhoods and places of gathering, including hospitals, schools, mosques and churches, displacing more than 1.4 million in the densely-populated region, which is home to more than 2.3 million people, according to United Nations officials.

The current war in Gaza has claimed the lives of nearly 9,000 Palestinian civilians.

Palestinian groups including Hamas have welcomed Bolivia's decision and called on Arab countries that have normalized their relations with Tel Aviv to follow suit.

Bolivia had previously cut diplomatic ties with Israel in 2009 in protest against Israel's actions in Gaza, and relations were only restored in 2020.