Bogotá, Colombia—Colombian President Gustavo Petro has officially ordered the establishment of an embassy in Ramallah, the administrative capital of Palestine, marking a significant step in Colombia’s foreign relations in the Middle East.
Foreign Minister Luis Gilberto Murillo announced the decision on Wednesday, stating, “President Petro has given the order that we open the Colombian embassy in Ramallah. This is the next step we are going to take.” The move signifies Colombia’s growing support for Palestinian statehood and its intentions to play a more active role in regional affairs.
Murillo expressed optimism that other nations might soon follow suit in backing the recognition of a Palestinian state at the United Nations. “We believe more countries will begin supporting Palestine’s recognition before the UN,” he added.
Strained Relations with Israel
Earlier this month, President Petro recalled Colombia’s ambassador from Tel Aviv in response to Israel’s military actions in Gaza. He condemned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s policies and indicated a desire to break diplomatic relations with Israel over the ongoing conflict.
In retaliation, Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz accused President Petro of harboring anti-Israel sentiments, stating that the Colombian leader was “anti-Semitic and full of hate.” Katz suggested that Colombia’s decision to cut ties was a reward for Hamas, further escalating tensions between the two nations.
Regional Dynamics and International Reactions
Colombia joins a list of Latin American countries reassessing their relationships with Israel. Bolivia severed ties with Israel in October of last year, and nations like Chile and Honduras have recalled their ambassadors amid rising concerns over the humanitarian situation in Gaza.
On May 10, the UN General Assembly overwhelmingly supported a Palestinian bid for full UN membership, recommending that the UN Security Council reconsider the matter favorably. However, the proposal faces potential veto from permanent members, notably the United States, which has historically opposed such movements.
Humanitarian Concerns in Gaza
The conflict between Israel and Hamas has resulted in significant loss of life and displacement in Gaza. According to the Gaza health ministry, nearly 36,000 Palestinians have been killed since October 7. The United Nations reports that intensified military operations have disrupted aid access and forced approximately 900,000 people to flee their homes, exacerbating tensions in the region.
International bodies and neighboring countries have called for de-escalation and increased humanitarian support to alleviate the suffering of civilians caught in the conflict.
(Source: Reuters)
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
