Posted on 01/28/2009 11:04:51 AM PST by forkinsocket
Israel says it has ordered Venezuela's diplomats to leave the country, following the decision by Venezuela to sever diplomatic relations.
Venezuela expelled the Israeli ambassador and his staff from Caracas on 6 January in protest at Israel's offensive in the Gaza Strip.
A week later, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez broke off ties.
Israel has now given its response, setting a deadline of Friday for the Venezuelans to leave.
Israeli foreign ministry official Lior Hayat said the Venezuelan head of mission in Tel Aviv, Roland Betancourt, and two colleagues are now "persona non grata in Israel".
President Chavez has been a strong critic of Israel's actions against Hamas militants in Gaza, and has called on Israelis to stand up against their government.
Venezuela's Foreign Ministry has said Caracas plans to denounce Israel's military actions at the International Criminal Court, according to the Associated Press news agency.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.bbc.co.uk ...
Afuero, pend*jos!
Good for Israel.
*ping*
I expel a Venezuelan diplomat every morning.
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