Colombia Suspends Arms Purchases from Israel After New Massacre in Gaza

Colombia suspends arms purchases from Israel, after new massacre in Gaza. Relations between the two countries are once again darkened, after Colombian President Gustavo Petro gave the order to stop buying Israeli weapons. The new episode in the long diplomatic crisis originated after images were released showing Israeli soldiers shooting at a crowd receiving humanitarian aid in the Gaza Strip, with a death toll of 112 people.

“Asking for food, more than 100 Palestinians were killed by Netanyahu. This is called genocide and reminds us of the Holocaust, even if the world powers do not like to recognize it,” said the Colombian president in his social networks.

New episode in a long crisis

The crisis in relations between Colombia and Israel began a few days after Benjamin Netanyahu’s government launched the invasion of Gaza. In October 2023, a series of statements, in which President Petro compared Israel’s actions to Nazi practices against Jews, triggered the diplomatic conflict.

In the following months, a series of disagreements have been taking place in the relationship between the two countries, including a threat by Israel to break the military advice it provides to Colombia. In fact, the Colombian ambassador in Tel Aviv, Margarita Manjarrrez, was recalled for consultations four months ago and, since then, has remained in Bogota.

The last of these chapters took place yesterday, after the Colombian president called on the world to “block Netanyahu”, announcing that “Colombia suspends all arms purchases from Israel”.

Consequences for Colombian defense

President Petro’s decision could have important consequences for the country’s defense, since Israel plays a decisive role as one of the largest suppliers of military equipment to Colombia.

Particularly noteworthy is the Israeli role in the maintenance of the Colombian Aerospace Force’s Kfir fighter jets, which despite their age have been constantly upgraded by the manufacturer in Israel. These aircraft would be the first to be compromised by the president’s order, since the suspension of arms procurement puts at risk the renewal and maintenance of these planes.

Similarly, the rifles used by the police in Colombia, of the Galil type, are also of Israeli manufacture. This weaponry is the basis of the defenses of the police and military forces in the country, so the rupture with Israel could also jeopardize its use and maintenance.

The situation has already earned the disapproval of the Colombian political opposition, which has accused the president of compromising national security with his decision.

New massacre in Gaza

The events referred to by the Colombian president took place in the Gaza Strip, when Israeli troops deliberately attacked a concentration of civilians waiting to receive food, as part of the humanitarian aid deployed there. More than a hundred people were killed in the attack, and at least 700 Palestinians were wounded. The action was condemned by several international political leaders.

“The attack was premeditated and intentional, in the context of genocide and ethnic cleansing of the people of the Gaza Strip. The occupation army knew that these victims had come to this area to obtain food and aid, but killed them in cold blood,” Palestinian representatives from Gaza said.

Hamas, which politically administers the Gaza Strip, has claimed that yesterday’s massacre jeopardizes negotiations for a cease-fire. For weeks now, mass starvation coupled with Israeli military attacks has posed a threat to Gaza’s civilian population. In fact, the first deaths of children from malnutrition have already been reported.

Ambassador to Colombia offers his version

For his part, the Israeli ambassador in Colombia, Gali Dagan, has replied to Israel’s official version. Dagan explained that the death of 112 Palestinians was due to disturbances at the post to receive humanitarian aid. According to the diplomatic representative, it was an assault on the food trucks, which were very close to the Israeli tanks, which ended in tragedy because the military fired when they “felt threatened”.

“This morning, humanitarian aid trucks entered northern Gaza, residents surrounded the trucks and looted the supplies being delivered. As a result of pushing, trampling and being run over by the trucks, dozens of Gazans were killed and wounded,” the ambassador to Colombia said.