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Israeli envoy to Caracas expelled
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by mmk | January 6, 2009 at 10:37 pm
89 views | 9 Recommendations | 4 comments
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Venezuela has ordered the expulsion of the Israeli ambassador to Caracas in protest at Israel's offensive in the Gaza Strip.
A number of diplomatic staff have been expelled along with Shlomo Cohen.
President Hugo Chavez has strongly condemned Israel for its actions and called on Israelis to stand up against their government.
Venezuela is the first country to take such a diplomatic step in protest at the violence in Gaza.
"The Israeli army is cowardly attacking worn-out, innocent people, while they claim that they are defending their people," Mr Chavez said during a visit to a children's hospital in Caracas.
"I call on the people of Israel to stand up against that government, to demand, to put a hand on their hearts and look at their children, and I call on the world to stop this madness."
Shortly after, the foreign ministry released a statement ordering the expulsion of Mr Cohen and some of his staff, in what they said was a show of solidarity with the Palestinians.
The BBC's Will Grant in Caracas says Mr Chavez often uses strong language to criticise Israel and is a close ally of Iranian President, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, one of Israel's main enemies.
Venezuela also has a large Arab community who have welcomed the government's move, our correspondent adds.
Most RecentMost Recommended Comments (4)
at 23:23 on January 6th, 2009
That guy is a nut case bra. If someone was firing rockets at me for past 8 years. Well I would never had let it last 8 years bra. Those terrorists had it comin for sure.
at 00:08 on January 7th, 2009
Aelusive, how can you be so cold. Children, women and innocent men are being killed and injured by the hundreds. The Israeli insanity should be stopped! It is war crimes against humanity that they are committing, Israel is not a terrorist group, it is supposed to be a country. And it is committing genocide whether you like it or not. I hope they are trialled for their war crimes!
at 03:05 on January 7th, 2009
Aleusive. Killing of any human beings with no cause what justifications you are giving, .there is no any justification for the killings of innocents!!!
at 06:56 on January 7th, 2009
International Solidarity is required to end the massacre in Gaza and the 40+ year Occupation of Palestine. Thank you Venezuela.
Jordan, Egypt and Mauritania are the only Arab countries to have diplomatic relations with Israel.
I don't expect any of these nations to follow the example set by Venezuela. I hope I'm wrong.