Countries from Brazil to Bolivia are ratcheting up political pressure on Israel over the death toll [View all]

[Judi Lynn]

01 August 2014 09:40 (Last updated 01 August 2014 09:41)

Countries from Brazil to Bolivia are ratcheting up political pressure on Israel over the death toll from its military offensive in Gaza.

By Ben Tavener
SAO PAULO

Latin American countries have stepped up their diplomatic protest against Israel, ratcheting up international pressure over its military offensive in Gaza and rallying behind the Palestinians.

Five countries in Latin America -- Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, El Salvador and Peru -- have now recalled their ambassadors to Israel for consultation: a major protest in diplomatic terms, and on Thursday, Costa Rica became the latest Latin nation to voice its concern over the "escalation of violence," summoning the Israeli ambassador to the country for explanation.

Bolivian President Evo Morales has also declared Israel a "terrorist state" and torn up a long-standing free travel agreement between the two countries. Along with Venezuela, Bolivia had already broken diplomatic ties with Israel in 2009. Both countries have condemned the latest bloodshed in the Middle East.

The Israeli Foreign Ministry expressed its "deep disappointment" over the countries' diplomatic moves. Spokesman Yigal Palmor was quoted by the Jerusalem Post as saying that the Latin countries should instead "promote the international move intended to assist Israel in its efforts to defend innocent civilians and instate a durable ceasefire with the demilitarization of Gaza."

However, it was the decision by Brazil last week that particularly irked Israel, threatening to spark a serious diplomatic row. Palmor retaliated, mocking Brazil as "politically irrelevant" and a "diplomatic dwarf" even poking fun at the country's infamous World Cup semifinal defeat.

More:
http://www.aa.com.tr/en/rss/367154--gaza-latin-american-states-take-stand-against-israel