Venezuela has ordered the expulsion of the Israeli ambassador to Caracas in protest at Israel's offensive in the Gaza Strip.
A number of diplomatic staff have 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.
Venezuela is the first country to take such a diplomatic step in protest at the violence in Gaza.
"The Israeli army is cowardly attacking worn-out, 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.
The BBC's Will Grant in Caracas says Mr Chavez often uses strong language to criticise Israel and is a close ally of Iranian President, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, one of Israel's main enemies.
Venezuela also has a large Arab community who have welcomed the government's move, our correspondent adds.
Our Lord! Verily, we have heard the call of one calling to Faith: 'Believe in your Lord,' and we have believed.
Our Lord! Forgive us our sins and expiate from us our evil deeds, and make us die (in the state of righteousness) along with Al-Abrar
Venezuela is the first country to take such a diplomatic step in protest at the violence in Gaza.
what a embarrasment for the Muslim Ummah
i have always admired Chavez the way he can stand up for the US and isnt afraid to express his opinion unlike those so-called muslim countries who stand by and watch their brothers and sisters suffer.
Mr Chavez often uses strong language to criticise Israel and is a close ally of Iranian President, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, one of Israel's main enemies.
Really ? oh:
i wonder what Russia will do (or any of those other 'controversial' non-muslim countries) since they take actions or opinions the US and Israel dissaprove of
Dear Allah. I pray that whoever reads this message shall have your comfort, joy, peace, love, & guidance. I may not know their troubles, but you do. Please keep protecting us. Ameen.
That's a bit unfair. Most 'muslim' countries (its only Egypt in the region) don't even have an Israeli ambassador, which makes it rather difficult to expel them!
That's a bit unfair. Most 'muslim' countries (its only Egypt in the region) don't even have an Israeli ambassador, which makes it rather difficult to expel them!
Azerbaijan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Turkey, Uzbekistan, Mauritania, Senegal have Israeli embassies.... while Qatar has Israeli Trade Representation Office...
Weather they have one or not. They haven't responded the way a Muslim should respond to his brother when in need. They're embarresments and should all drop dead together
^ agreed, but at the same time, where are the other Muslim leaders?
the non-arab ones i mean. i mean the arab "leaders" have sure as heck shown their true colors, but what about the other Muslim leaders.
...desperate for husnul-khitaam...
please make dua that Allah grants me a good end (to my life). please make dua that Allah guides me.
‘Say: If the ocean were ink wherewith to write out the words of my Lord, sooner would the ocean be exhausted, even if We added another ocean like it.’~Al Qu'raan (18:109)
^ agreed, but at the same time, where are the other Muslim leaders?
the non-arab ones i mean. i mean the arab "leaders" have sure as heck shown their true colors, but what about the other Muslim leaders.
our PM condemn the attack and want UN Assembly to convene a meeting on this issue after it was vetoed by USA in the security council...
But he refused to boycott American products.... for economic's sake
On expelling diplomats, remember that it is a gesture that usually has a price. The most useful ambassadors to have around are those for the countries that you don't get along with, not those you do get along with. For Chavez, it's easy - Venezuela is half a planet away from Israel, not next-door to it.
That's a bit unfair. Most 'muslim' countries (its only Egypt in the region) don't even have an Israeli ambassador, which makes it rather difficult to expel them!
theyve all got secret ties with israel though
Our Lord! Verily, we have heard the call of one calling to Faith: 'Believe in your Lord,' and we have believed.
Our Lord! Forgive us our sins and expiate from us our evil deeds, and make us die (in the state of righteousness) along with Al-Abrar
On expelling diplomats, remember that it is a gesture that usually has a price. The most useful ambassadors to have around are those for the countries that you don't get along with, not those you do get along with. For Chavez, it's easy - Venezuela is half a planet away from Israel, not next-door to it.
why is that? oh:
Dear Allah. I pray that whoever reads this message shall have your comfort, joy, peace, love, & guidance. I may not know their troubles, but you do. Please keep protecting us. Ameen.
The purpose of sending an ambassador to a country you do get on with is to arrange trade agreements and host dinner parties. The purpose of sending an ambassador to a country you don't get on with is to prevent war, specifically an avoidable war that might occur as a result of a misunderstanding, or one regarding a dispute that could be settled peacefully. That's why those governments without formal diplomatic relations still have those 'secret ties' amani mentioned, they would be be grossly irresponsible to their own citizens if they did not.
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