Colombian President Gustavo Petro announced on Wednesday that he will terminate diplomatic relations with Israel for its actions in Gaza.

Petro has previously sharply criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and urged that the International Court of Justice hear South Africa's lawsuit charging Israel of genocide.

PHOTO | COURTESY Colombian President Gustavo Petro

"Here in front of you, the government of change, of the president of the republic announces that tomorrow we will break diplomatic relations with the state of Israel ... for having a government, for having a president who is genocidal," Petro told cheering crowds in Bogota.

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 Countries cannot remain quiet in the face of the events in Gaza, he said.

PHOTO | COURTESY Colombian President Gustavo Petro

Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz accused Petro of being "antisemitic and filled with hatred." He said Petro's action was a reward for the militant group Hamas, which carried out a devastating attack on Israeli military positions and neighborhoods on October 7.

Bolivia severed diplomatic relations with Israel at the end of October last year, while numerous other Latin American nations, including Colombia, Chile, and Honduras, have withdrawn their ambassadors.