Bolivia breaks diplomatic ties with Israel over Gaza

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Source: CCTV.com | 01-15-2009 08:56

President Evo Morales of Bolivia says he's breaking relations with Israel over its invasion of the Gaza Strip. Morales says he will ask the International Criminal Court to bring genocide charges against top Israeli officials.

President Morales said on Wednesday his country is  breaking diplomatic ties with Israel over the offensive  in the Gaza Strip that has killed hundreds of Palestinians. REUTERS/Bolivian Presidency/Handout (BOLIVIA)

The move by the Bolivian President closely follows the actions of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, who last week broke ties with Israel. Morales told the country's diplomatic corps that the Israeli attacks on Gaza "seriously threatens world peace" and he called for Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and his Cabinet to face criminal charges.

Morales chided the United Nations' ridiculing the Security Council as an "Insecurity Council" for its "lukewarm" response to the Gaza crisis.

He said the UN General Assembly should condemn the invasion. He also said Israeli President Shimon Peres should be stripped of his Nobel Peace Prize for failing to stop the invasion.

Editor:Du Xiaodan