Why Latin American diplomats are pulling out of Israel

[Judi Lynn]

Saturday, Aug 2, 2014 11:00 AM CDT

Why Latin American diplomats are pulling out of Israel

More and more of the region's governments are yanking their ambassadors out of the country in protest
Simeon Tegel, Alex Leff and Noga Tarnopolsky, GlobalPost



LIMA, Peru and JERUSALEM — Latin American nations are expressing their revulsion at the bloodshed in Gaza — and squarely pinning the blame on Israel.

Chile, Peru and El Salvador said this week they are recalling their ambassadors from Israel for consultation. That was after Ecuador and Brazil did the same last week.

And on Wednesday, Bolivian President Evo Morales declared Israel a “terrorist state.”

Lots of world leaders have denounced the violence on both sides of Israel’s 3-week-old war against Hamas in Gaza. Palestinian casualties have reached 1,328, according to Gaza health authorities, while the Israeli death toll is close to 60.

But the Latin Americans appear to be leading a diplomatic storm, flying envoys out of Tel Aviv.

Recalling an ambassador for consultation falls short of breaking off relations outright, but it can lead to that.

So, why are they doing it?

In a statement on Tuesday, Chile condemned Hamas for launching rockets at Israeli towns, but slammed the Israel Defense Forces’ bombardment of Palestinian civilians.

More:
http://www.salon.com/2014/08/02/why_latin_american_diplomats_are_pulling_out_of_israel_partner/

[Louisiana1976]

1. I don't blame the Latin Americans for pulling their envoys out. Israel has been shelling schools,

hospitals, and other civilian targets. Evo Morales was right to call Israel a "terrorist state."

[libodem]

2. I'm glad for the protest

It sends a message. The incursion is like shooting fish in a barrel. Ethnic cleansing is what it is. Genocide on a trapped population. They just want to be rid of them so they are killing off as many as they can with shells and bombs.

Why is it okay to conventionally bomb territory considered to be your own people but not to gas them? It took gassing to make us take action in Syria. It was part of the pretense in hanging Sadam. He was destroying, Kurds, his own people. We considered him a monster.

We need to speak out against what is happening. It's the least we can do.