Bolivia Breaks Diplomatic Ties with Israel, Citing Crimes Against Humanity

 

 

Bolivia’s government said it had broken diplomatic ties with Israel on Tuesday, accusing Israel of committing crimes against humanity in its attacks on the Gaza Strip.

Bolivia “has decided to break diplomatic relations with the Israeli state in repudiation and condemnation of the aggressive and disproportionate Israeli military offensive taking place in the Gaza Strip,” Deputy Foreign Minister Freddy Mamani announced at a press conference.

 

Mamani added that Bolivia was calling for a ceasefire and an end to “the blockade that prevents the entry of food, water and other essential elements for life.”

Interim Foreign Minister Maria Nela Prada said the press conference had been called “in reference to the crimes against humanity being committed in the Gaza Strip against the Palestinian people.”

 

The Israeli foreign ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Bolivia is among the first countries to actively break diplomatic relations with Israel over its war in Gaza.

 

The South American country had previously cut diplomatic ties with Israel in 2009 under the government of leftist President Evo Morales, also in protest of Israel’s actions in Gaza.

In 2020, the government of right-wing interim President Jeanine Anez re-established ties.

Tuesday’s announcement came hours after Morales on social media pressured current President Luis Arce to condemn Israel and declare it a terrorist state.

 

On Monday, Arce met with the Palestinian ambassador to Bolivia.

“We reject the war crimes being committed in Gaza. We support international initiatives to guarantee humanitarian aid, in compliance with international law,” Arce said on social media on Monday.

 

Gaza health authorities say that 8,525 people, including 3,542 children, have been killed in Israeli attacks since Oct. 7. UN officials say more than 1.4 million of Gaza’s civilian population of about 2.3 million have been made homeless.

SWAHILI

BOLIVIA IMEVUNJA UHUSIANO WA KIDIPLOMASIA NA ISRAEL, IKILAUMU 'UHALIFU DHIDI YA UBINADAMU'

Serikali ya Bolivia imesema kuwa imevunja uhusiano wa kidiplomasia na Israel, ikiilaumu Israel kwa kutekeleza uhalifu dhidi ya ubinadamu katika mashambulizi yake kwenye Ukanda wa Gaza. Bolivia imeamua kuvunja uhusiano wa kidiplomasia na serikali ya Israel kwa kukataa na kuulaani msururu wa mashambulizi ya kijeshi ya Israel yanayofanyika kwa ukali na kwa kiasi kubwa kwenye Ukanda wa Gaza, Naibu Waziri wa Mambo ya Nje, Freddy Mamani, alitangaza katika mkutano na waandishi wa habari.

Mamani amesema kuwa Bolivia ilikuwa inaitaka kusitisha mapigano na kufungua kizuizi kinachozuia kuingia kwa chakula, maji, na vitu vingine muhimu kwa maisha ya binadamu Palestina.

Waziri wa Mambo ya Nje wa Muda, Maria Nela Prada, alisema mkutano na waandishi wa habari ulikuwa umetishwa kutokana na uhalifu dhidi ya ubinadamu unaoendelea kutokea katika Ukanda wa Gaza dhidi ya watu wa Palestina.

Wizara ya Mambo ya Nje ya Israel haijajibu mara moja ombi la kutoa maoni. Bolivia ni miongoni mwa nchi za kwanza kuvunja uhusiano wa kidiplomasia na Israel kwa sababu ya vita vyake huko Gaza.

Nchi hii ya Amerika Kusini ilikuwa imevunja awali uhusiano wa kidiplomasia na Israel mwaka 2009 chini ya uongozi wa Rais wa mrengo wa kushoto, Evo Morales, na sababu ilikuwa kususia vitendo vya Israel huko Gaza. Mnamo mwaka wa 2020, serikali ya Rais wa muda wa mrengo wa kulia, Jeanine Anez, ilirejesha uhusiano huo.

Tangazo la Jumanne lilitolewa masaa kadhaa baada ya Morales kutumia mitandao ya kijamii kumshinikiza Rais wa sasa, Luis Arce, kuilaani Israel na kuithibitisha kuwa ni nchi ya kigaidi.

Jumatatu, Arce alikutana na balozi wa Palestina nchini Bolivia.

"Tunapinga uhalifu wa kivita unaoendelea kutokea Gaza. Tunasaidia jitihada za kimataifa kuhakikisha misaada ya kibinadamu, kwa kuzingatia sheria za kimataifa," Arce alisema kwenye mitandao ya kijamii Jumatatu.

Mamlaka ya afya ya Gaza zinasema watu 8,525, ikiwa ni pamoja na watoto 3,542, wameuawa katika mashambulizi ya Israel tangu Oktoba 7. Maafisa wa Umoja wa Mataifa wanasema zaidi ya watu milioni 1.4 kati ya idadi ya raia wa Gaza wapatao milioni 2.3 hawana makazi.