[R-G] Bolivia says cutting diplomatic ties with Israel

[Anthony Fenton]

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N14457228.htm

Bolivia says cutting diplomatic ties with Israel
14 Jan 2009 15:38:55 GMT
Source: Reuters
By Carlos Quiroga

LA PAZ, Jan 14 (Reuters) - Bolivian President Evo Morales said on  
Wednesday his country is breaking diplomatic ties with Israel over the  
offensive in the Gaza Strip that has killed hundreds of Palestinians.

"Bolivia had diplomatic relations with Israel. (But) considering these  
grave attacks against ... humanity, Bolivia will stop having  
diplomatic relations with Israel," Morales said in a speech before  
diplomats in the government palace.

Morales, a leftist, is a close ally of Venezuelan President Hugo  
Chavez, who on Jan. 6 expelled Israel's ambassador in protest over Gaza.

Venezuela is a major supplier of aid to Bolivia.

Israel launched its 19-day-old campaign in Gaza with the declared aim  
of halting rocket attacks by Hamas into Israel. The Palestinian death  
toll in the offensive is nearing 1,000. Israel says 13 Israelis have  
been killed.

In his speeches, Morales often attacks the United States, a main ally  
of Israel.

He kicked out the U.S. ambassador in September after accusing him of  
encouraging violent protests against his government.

Chavez followed suit, evicting the U.S. envoy from the oil rich  
country shortly afterward, in "solidarity" with Morales.

(Reporting by Carlos Quiroga; Editing by Doina Chiacu)