Jan 14, 2009 9:18 pm US/Eastern
Venezuela Severs Ties With Israel Over Gaza
CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) ―
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Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez has decided to break off diplomatic relations with Israel due to their military offensive in Gaza.
Thomas Coex/AFP/Getty Images
Venezuela broke off diplomatic relations with Israel on Wednesday to protest its military offensive in Gaza, the foreign ministry announced.
The decision by President Hugo Chavez's socialist government comes about a week after it expelled the Israeli ambassador in Caracas and seven embassy staff members to protest the Jewish state's actions in Gaza.
Venezuela "has decided to break off diplomatic relations with the state of Israel given the inhumane persecution of the Palestinian people," the foreign ministry said in a statement Wednesday.
Israel launched the offensive on Dec. 27, seeking to force the ruling Hamas militant group to stop rocket attacks into southern Israel. Palestinian authorities say strikes have killed more than 1,000 of their people. Thirteen Israelis have been killed, four by rocket fire from Gaza.
Venezuela also accused Israel of resorting to "state terrorism" and violating a U.N. cease-fire resolution.
The foreign ministry statement said Caracas plans to denounce Israel's military actions at the International Criminal Court in the Hague and Venezuela "will not rest until it sees them punished."
Chavez has forged strong ties with numerous Arab nations and has long been critical of Israel in its conflict with the Palestinians. He accuses the Israeli government of acting as an arm of Washington.
(© 2009 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
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