The president of Colombia, Gustavo Petro, announced the suspension of arms contracts with Israel in response to the tragedy that occurred during the distribution of humanitarian aid in Gaza.
“Begging for food, more than 100 Palestinians were murdered by Netanyahu. This is considered genocide and evokes memories of the Holocaust, even if world powers are reluctant to recognize it.
The world needs to condemn [o primeiro-ministro de Israel, Benjamin] Netanyahu. Colombia suspends all arms purchases from Israel,” declared the Colombian president.
Relations between Colombia and Israel were already tense due to Bogotá’s position regarding the situation in the Gaza Strip.
In December 2023, Petro joined international leaders in calling for a change in the Israeli government to pave the way for peace in the Middle East.
Furthermore, Bogotá was one of the countries that supported South Africa’s lawsuit before the International Court of Justice, accusing the Israeli State of “genocide” due to the situation in the Palestinian enclave.