Israel Suspends Security Exports To Colombia Over Diplomatic Spat

Israel has suspended security exports to Colombia in an escalating diplomatic spat over online messages by Colombia's president comparing Israel's siege of Gaza to the actions of Nazi Germany.

Petro's Criticism of Israel

Colombian President Gustavo Petro has doubled down on his criticism of Israel and suggested that his country may need to suspend diplomatic relations with Israel, while his foreign minister has suggested Israel's ambassador should leave the country.

Israel's Response

In a statement published Sunday, Israel's foreign ministry said that Petro's recent statements on Twitter, "inflame antisemitism and threaten the safety of the Jewish community in Colombia." The Israeli government said it called Colombia's ambassador to a meeting in which she was informed that defense cooperation between the countries would be suspended.

Colombia's Response

Colombian Foreign Minister Alvaro Leyva wrote on his Twitter account that Dagan should "leave" the country and apologize for his messages. Later however he wrote that Israel's ambassador had not been expelled and that relations between both countries would be maintained if Israel so desired.

Petro's Continued Criticism

Petro doubled down on his critiques of Israel over the weekend, describing its military campaign in Gaza as "genocide" and threatening to break off relations with the Jewish state. "If we must suspend diplomatic relations with Israel, then that is what we will do" he wrote on Twitter on Sunday. "You cannot insult the president of Colombia."

The diplomatic spat between Colombia and Israel shows no signs of abating, with both sides doubling down on their positions. It remains to be seen how the situation will develop and whether the two countries will be able to resolve their differences.