Petro threatens to cut Israeli ties if UNSC resolution not implemented

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
26 Mar 2024 21:42
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The UNSC resolution demands an immediate ceasefire during the holy month of Ramadan.

Colombian President Gustavo Petro delivers a speech in Bogota, Colombia, on December 15, 2023 (AFP)

Colombian President Gustavo Petro warned in an X post on Tuesday that his country will sever diplomatic relations with "Israel" if it does not abide by the United Nations Security Council resolution demanding an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip during the holy month of Ramadan.

The UNSC adopted a resolution on Monday calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, as well as the immediate and unconditional release of all captives, as the Israeli war on the Strip nears its 6-month mark.

The resolution passed with all permanent members voting in favor, except for the United States which abstained.

Si Israel no cumple la resolución de Naciones Unidas de Cese al Fuego rompemos relaciones diplomáticas con Israel.
— Gustavo Petro (@petrogustavo) March 26, 2024

Petro's statement comes one day after he hailed the UNSC's decision and called on "the nations of the world" to sever diplomatic relations with "Israel" if the occupation entity breaks the ceasefire.

The Israeli occupation continues its relentless and genocidal campaign against Gaza for the 172nd consecutive day, targeting different regions of the Strip and enforcing a complete blockade. This has further worsened the already dire humanitarian situation, exacerbating the suffering of the people in Gaza.

The Health Ministry announced on Monday the total number of Palestinians killed in the Israeli aggression war since October 7 has risen to 32,414, in addition to 74,787 injuries.

Widening rift

Relations between Colombia and the occupation entity have already worsened after Petro joined many world leaders in describing the Israeli war on Gaza as a genocide and comparing their conduct to that of the Nazis.

Military cooperation between Colombia and "Israel" was suspended last October, and shortly after that, Bogota expelled the Israeli envoy due to his criticism of Petro for supporting Gaza and Palestine. Later in November, Colombia recalled its ambassador to "Israel". Additionally, following the Israeli Flour Massacre against Palestinians gathering to collect aid in February, Petro halted all military purchases from the occupation entity.

His position grew more vocal after South Africa submitted a genocide lawsuit against "Israel" to the ICJ, provided with hundreds of pages of Israeli top officials' public statements as evidence. The ICJ later ruled that there was a basis to the lawsuit and thus demanded that "Israel" take emergency measures to steer away from committing genocide.

The Israeli response to the lawsuit was to accuse South Africa of being the "legal arm of Hamas" and to reject the ICJ's ruling.

Responding to Pertro's threats to sever ties, the Israeli Foreign Minister said that Petro is a “supporter of Hamas terrorists," describing his stance as a “disgrace to the Colombian people.”