Bolivia has cut diplomatic ties with Israel over what it describes as “aggressive and disproportionate” military actions in Gaza. The decision makes Bolivia the first Latin American country to sever diplomatic relations with Israel due to the ongoing conflict. The move comes as a show of solidarity with the Palestinian people and a condemnation of Israel’s actions in the region.
Deputy Foreign Minister Freddy Mamani announced the decision, stating that Bolivia is calling for a ceasefire and will be providing aid to the blockaded Gaza Strip. The country’s government expressed its repudiation and condemnation of Israel’s military offensive and is demanding an end to the blockade that is preventing essential supplies from entering Gaza.
This decision puts Bolivia at odds with the United States, which recently announced that it had delivered aid to Gaza through 66 trucks. However, humanitarian organizations have warned that this aid might not be enough to meet the needs of the population.
Bolivia’s decision has drawn support from other Latin American countries. The presidents of Colombia and Brazil have both criticized Israel’s actions in Gaza. Colombian President Gustavo Petro initially called for the Israeli ambassador to leave the country but later softened his stance. Meanwhile, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva urged a ceasefire, expressing concern over the high number of civilian casualties, particularly children.
Israel has been conducting airstrikes in Gaza since the October 7th Hamas attack, which resulted in the death of 1,400 people and the capture of 239 hostages. The majority of the reported 8,500 war casualties in Gaza, according to the Hamas-run health ministry, are adults, but the figure also includes 3,500 children.
Bolivia’s decision to sever diplomatic ties with Israel is not the first of its kind. The country had previously cut ties with Israel in 2009 under President Evo Morales in response to Israel’s actions in Gaza.
This latest move by Bolivia sends a strong message to the international community regarding its stance on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. By cutting diplomatic ties, Bolivia is signaling its support for the Palestinian people and its condemnation of what it deems as unjust military actions by Israel.
It remains to be seen how this decision will impact Bolivia’s relations with other countries, particularly those that maintain close ties with Israel. Additionally, the humanitarian situation in Gaza will likely be a key concern moving forward. The international community will need to provide sufficient aid and work towards a lasting ceasefire to address the needs of the civilian population affected by the conflict.
