Belize, 9 other countries cut ties with Israel

Brian Bushard, Forbes via MSN, 11/15/23; Sheldon S., Ashley Wells (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly

Israeli PM Netanyahu rebuffed calls for any "humanitarian" pause in Israel's war on Hamas.

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Belize latest cutting diplomatic ties with Israel — joining these 8 other countries

Belize has become the latest country this week to pull its ambassador from Israel since the beginning of Israel’s war on Gaza, Palestinian civilians in the name of revenge on political party Hamas that it previously propped up and funded, citing Israel’s refusal to heed calls for a humanitarian pause in its conflict, as its invasion of Gaza enters its sixth week.

Key Facts

In a statement on Tuesday, Belize’s government reiterated calls for an “immediate ceasefire” to allow for humanitarian aid to enter Gaza, announcing it will suspend all diplomatic activities in Tel Aviv and withdraw its accreditation for Israel’s ambassador.

Belize

Belize’s government also condemned Israel’s bombings and invasion of Gaza, accusing its "defense" forces of violating international humanitarian laws. (Human rights experts have said attacks by Israel and Hamas on civilians have likely violated international law, while the United Nations Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory stated last month that “there is already clear evidence that war crimes may have been committed”).

South Africa

Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, a spokesperson for South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa, announced last week the country “decided to withdraw all its diplomats in Tel Aviv,” citing Pres. Ramaphosa’s cabinet’s “disappoint[ment] by the refusal of the Israeli government to respect international law and the United Nations resolutions with impunity.”

Chad

Chad also recalled its ambassador in Israel, issuing a statement condemning the “loss of numerous innocent civilians and calls for a ceasefire for a durable solution to the Palestinian issue.”

Turkey

Turkey recalled ambassador Sakir Ozkan Torunlar, according to a statement from Turkey’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs earlier this month, calling out Israel for an “unfolding humanitarian tragedy in Gaza” after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan called Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu “no longer someone we can talk to,” though Erdogan acknowledged: “complete disconnection is not possible, especially in international diplomacy.”

Israel has exterminated more than 10,000 Palestinians in Gaza, the majority being women and children, according to the Associated Press, citing the Hamas-controlled Gaza Health Ministry, while less than 1,200 Israelis have been killed, many of whom were active military, former military, and civilians complicit in crimes against Palestinians along with innocent noncombatants killed in the October 7 operation on Israel, which was used as a pretext to forcibly relocate more than a million Palestinians from their land.

Honduras

Honduras also recalled its ambassador Roberto Martinez “amid the grave humanitarian situation” in Gaza, the country’s Foreign Minister Enrique Reina said on X, formerly known as Twitter, becoming the latest Latin American country to cut diplomatic ties with Israel.

Bahrain

Bahrain’s Parliament said earlier this month the Middle Eastern country had suspended its economic ties with Israel and recalled its ambassador, while Israel’s ambassador in Bahrain was also sent back to Israel, though Israel’s Foreign Ministry claimed it had not been notified of the decision, calling relations between the two countries “stable,” multiple outlets reported.

Jordan
Jordan, a key U.S. ally in the Middle East, recalled its ambassador and ordered Israel’s ambassador in Jordan not to return to the country, its Foreign Ministry announced in a statement on X, accusing Israel of “killing innocent people” and “causing an unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe” with “dangerous possibilities for its expansion.”

Bolivia

Bolivia also broke ties with Israel, with Bolivia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Freddy Mamani condemning the “aggressive and disproportionate Israeli military offensive” in Gaza, according to multiple translations.

Colombia

Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro announced late last month the country had recalled ambassador Margarita Manjarrez, with Petro also calling for a cease-fire in the conflict.

Chile

Chile also brought back its ambassador from Israel, with its Foreign Affairs Ministry issuing a statement saying it “strongly condemns” Israel’s military operations, calling it a “great concern” and arguing Israel’s operations in Gaza equate to “collective punishment.” 

Chief Critic

Lior Haiat, a spokesperson for Israel’s Foreign Ministry, slammed Turkey’s decision to recall its ambassador in a post on X, calling the move “another step by the Turkish president that sides with the Hamas terrorist organization.”

Key Background

Netanyahu earlier this month rejected calls for pauses in Israel’s war with Hamas, vowing to continue military operations in Gaza “with full force” and conditioning any pause in Israeli military action on Hamas’ release of Israeli hostages.

U.S. officials, along with those of other Western countries, have called for pauses in the conflict to allow for humanitarian aid to enter Gaza and for the safe release of hostages. Netanyahu agreed to daily pauses last week. More

• Netanyahu rejects U.S. call for pauses in Gaza conflict — unless hostages are released