On Tuesday, the Bolivian government declared its decision to cease diplomatic relations with Israel due to the ongoing conflict with Hamas, marking the first instance a country severed ties with the embattled state since the war began.
Deputy Foreign Minister Freddy Mamani told reporters at a press conference that Bolivia, "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."
Bolivia’s socialist president Luis Arce echoed Mamani’s sentiment by releasing a statement on social media saying, "we reject the war crimes being committed in Gaza. We support international initiatives to guarantee humanitarian aid, in compliance with international law."
In 2008, the South American nation terminated relations with Jerusalem in protest of their anti-terrorism operations in Gaza under the leftist regime of Evo Morales. These restrictions were abolished in 2020 during the presidency of Jeanine Áñez.
Media reports have suggested that Colombia and Chile are also considering a similar move. Both countries have recalled their ambassadors to Israel in protest of the military response to the Gaza based terror organization’s Oct. 7 attack.
