Colombian President Gustavo Petro expressed strong criticism against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, labeling him a "crazy man" reminiscent of Herod, the Judean king infamous for ordering the massacre of innocents as recounted in the Christian New Testament. Petro voiced his concerns during the Book Fair of Venezuela in Caracas, where he also accused the United States of supporting Israel's actions in Gaza due to the influence of Israeli capital in American banking.
Petro emphasized the human cost of the conflict, asserting that the Israeli offensive in Gaza has resulted in the deaths of numerous civilians, including children. Drawing parallels between Netanyahu and the powerful Herod, Petro condemned the ongoing violence perpetrated against innocent children on Earth.
Known for his staunch support of the Palestinian cause on various platforms, Petro has consistently condemned Israel for its airstrikes and attacks in the Gaza Strip, where the reported Palestinian death toll has reached at least 13,000. The Colombian president went further, likening the situation in Gaza to the atrocities of Nazi concentration camps during World War II, a comparison that Israel has deemed "anti-Semitic."
Taking proactive diplomatic steps, Petro announced Colombia's intention to propose the recognition of Palestine as a fully independent state to the United Nations. Additionally, he threatened to actively participate in the complaint filed with the International Criminal Court against Netanyahu for alleged war crimes. In a clear stance against nations unsupportive of a UN resolution calling for a cease-fire in Gaza, Petro declared that Bogota would cease purchasing weapons from countries that either voted against or abstained from the resolution.
News ID : 2631