Herzog calls for “decency and respect” and for South American countries to pressure Iran to release the hostages. Latinos “should look in the mirror and realize that they could be next.”
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The president of Israel, Isaac Herzog, asked this Thursday “Decency and respect” to the Latin American countries that criticized the Israeli offensive in Gazaurging them to dialogue with Iran and press for the release of the Israeli hostages.
I think the leaders of Venezuela, Colombia, Bolivia, Chile and others, who have criticized us, should show some decency and respect and take the hostage demands to world leaders, putting pressure on Iran and its allies, including the [movimento islamita] Hamas,” Herzog said at the presidential residence in Jerusalem.
The head of state sent a message to “all Spanish-speaking countries, some with strong ties to Iran and all its allies,” to express his indignation at the Hamas massacre in Israel on October 7 and ask Tehran to release him. of 239 hostages kidnapped in Gaza.
“It is a human issue, not a political one,” Herzog stressed.
Asked about the reaction of Latin American countries in general, the President highlighted that there are those who are “extremely supportive” of Israel, although he complained about those who interrupted (Bolivia) or reduced (Colombia and Chile) diplomatic relations with the Jewish State. He protests against their offensive in the Gaza Strip.
Herzog stated that he conveyed to many leaders of Latin American countries that “They should look in the mirror and realize that they could be next.”
In this sense, the Israeli president referred to the arrest last week in Brazil of a cell allegedly linked to the Lebanese Shiite group Hezbollah, and stated that “this is just the beginning.”
We know of Iran’s presence in the region, in Latin America, we know of its alliances with some countries. Unfortunately, no one will be exempt from the terrorist machinery of these organizations. We all have to fight together,” he added.
Herzog’s statements come on the 41st day of the war between Israel and the Palestinian militias in Gaza, led by the Islamist movement Hamas, which has generated strong international condemnation for the high death toll in the Gaza Strip, which exceeds and 11,500, according to Gaza authorities.
In recent weeks, Israel had already criticized the positions of Bolivia, Chile and Colombia on the war.
“Israel hopes that Colombia and Chile will support the right of a democratic country to protect its citizens and demand the immediate release of the hostages,” and “not align with Venezuela and Iran in supporting Hamas terrorism,” a spokesman said. of the organization. Israeli Foreign Ministry earlier this month.
Regarding Bolivia, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs accused its government of “surrendering to terrorism and the regime of the Ayatollahs in Iran” and maintained that its decision to cut diplomatic relations with Israel represents an “alignment with the terrorist organization Hamas.”
The unprecedented attack by the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas against southern Israel on October 7 left more than 1,200 dead and more than 240 kidnapped.
In response, Israel declared war on Hamas, bombing several of the group’s infrastructure in the Gaza Strip and imposing a complete siege on the territory, cutting off water, fuel and electricity supplies.
According to authorities in the Gaza Strip, controlled by Hamas since 2007, Israel’s military offensive against the Gaza Strip has killed 11,000 people.
Source: Observadora
