SANA

CARACAS (SANA): Venezuela has expelled Israeli ambassador to Caracas in protest at Israel’s offensive in the Gaza Strip.

According to source, A number of diplomatic staff has been expelled along with Shlomo Cohen.
President Hugo Chavez has strongly condemned Israel for its actions and called on Israelis to stand up against their government.

“The Israeli army is cowardly attacking innocent people, while they claim that they are defending their people,” Mr. Chavez said during a visit to a children’s hospital in Caracas.
“I call on the people of Israel to stand up against that government, to demand, to put a hand on their hearts and look at their children, and I call on the world to stop this madness.”

Shortly after, the foreign ministry released a statement ordering the expulsion of Mr. Cohen and some of his staff, in what they said was a show of solidarity with the Palestinians.

Mr. Chavez often uses strong language to criticize Israel and is a close ally of Iranian President, Mehmood Ahmadinejad, one of Israel’s main enemies.

Venezuela is the first country to take such a diplomatic step in protest at the violence in Gaza.

Venezuela also has a large Arab community who has welcomed the government’s move.

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