Colombia has issued a demand for Israel’s ambassador to leave the country following a growing dispute over remarks made by President Gustavo Petro regarding the conflict with Hamas. Foreign Minister Alvaro Leyva stated that the Israeli ambassador, Gali Dagan, should, at the very least, offer an apology and depart the nation.
This demand comes after Dagan criticized Petro for drawing a comparison between Israeli actions in Gaza and the historical persecution of Jews during the Nazi regime.
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Leyva expressed his dissatisfaction with Israel’s response to Petro’s statements, denouncing it as “rudeness” and adding, “Shame.” Tensions arose after Hamas launched a series of attacks on October 7, resulting in the deaths of over 1,400 people. In response, Israel declared a retaliatory “siege” of Gaza.
Petro accused Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant of using language that resembled what the Nazis had said about Jews. Petro, who is Colombia’s first leftist president, took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to assert that “democratic nations must not permit the resurgence of Nazism in international politics.”
On Sunday, Israel, a major supplier of arms to Colombia’s military, announced the suspension of security exports to the South American country, further escalating the diplomatic dispute. Ambassador Dagan had reported that protesters had defaced the embassy’s facade with graffiti, including swastikas.
President Gustavo Petro remains steadfast in his criticism of Israel and has suggested that Colombia might consider suspending its diplomatic relations with the country. In the midst of this diplomatic tension, the suspension of security exports to Colombia by Israel serves as a significant development in the ongoing dispute.
The situation between Colombia and Israel continues to evolve, and it remains to be seen how both countries will navigate this diplomatic challenge.
