Peru recalls ambassador from Israel

Peru recalls ambassador from Israel
July 30, 2014
Rachel Chase

Israel is facing mounting diplomatic pressure for its operations in Gaza as Latin American countries recall diplomats.


Peru has recalled its ambassador from Israel, and Israeli officials are none too pleased with the move. An official document was released to communicate that sentiment: “[The nation of] Israel expresses its disappointment at this decision by a friendly country, with whom we have shared more than a half century of good relations.”

The memo drew parallels between the two countries’ experiences with terrorism, saying “Israel always sympathized with Peru during the years of their fight against terrorism. In spite of the closeness between the two countries, today we are surprised that Perú is not supporting Israel in its efforts to protect its citizens.”

“If extremists attacked Peru with 3,000 rockets and missiles in one month, it is without a doubt that the Peruvian government would have reacted the same way is Israel is doing now, in order to protect the lives of all Peruvians. That is the commitment of all free and democratic countries,” the memo concluded.
Peru was not the only Latin American nation to withdraw their ambassador from Israel in recent days. Chile and El Salvador did as well, apparently prompted by Brazil’s earlier decision to do the same.

The Jerusalem Press quotes Foreign Ministry representative Yigal Palmor as saying that the decision by Chile, Perú, and El Salvador to withdraw their diplomats “constitutes encouragement for Hamas, a group recognized as a terror organization by many countries around the world.”

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