Posted on 01/06/2009 3:34:24 PM PST by nickcarraway
The Venezuelan government expelled Israelí Ambassador Shlomo Cohen in protest against his country's military offensive in the Gaza Strip, in which hundreds of people are reported to have been killed.
The decision was first announced by the Foreign Ministry, and afterwards by National Assembly President Cilia Flores, the Foreign Minister's wife, in the legislative chamber. Legislators, nearly all of them members of President Hugo Chávez' ruling United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) applauded as Flores spoke.
Chávez has publicly repudiated the Israeli military action, urging the government to withdraw its military forces immediately and to halt the violence. During a debate in the parliament, Deputy Roy Daza repeated the demand and announced a protest march for that afternoon.
By then, legislators had held a minute's silence in the chamber in memory of the dead. Daza went on to urge the international community to take measures aimed at securing the immediate withdrawal of Israeli military forces from the Gaza Strip.
Several other officials at the Israeli embassy in Caracas were also ordered to leave the country. Their identities and posts were not disclosed, and it was not disclosed how much time Cohen and the others had been given to leave the country.
There were no immediate reports of a reaction from the Israeli government. It remained unclear whether it would respond by a reciprocal deportation order of Venezuela's Ambassador to Israel and other diplomats.
Venezuela last year deported United States Ambassador Patrick Duddy after Bolivia expelled the United States ambassador to La Paz, and Washington responded in like fashion. Officials said Duddy had been ordered out in sympathy with Bolivian President Evo Morales, who had also expelled the American ambassador from that country.
On that occasion, neither Caracas nor Washington went as far as to break diplomatic relations. However, the impasse continues and neither country has appointed a new ambassador.
I’m sure Israel really regets the loss of relations with Hugo Chavez. Not.
Did Chavez throw out the Russian ambassador when Russia attacked Georgia? Israel at least had good reason. Russia’s ‘reason’ was bogus.
Israel’s action against Hamas is the perfect litmus test.
This operation couldn’t be more righteous. Regimes and news-readers and politicians who were silent during Hamas attacks on Israeli citizens, who now suddenly find their voices to defend Hamas (or to call for “proportionality”) stand exposed. Ignorant or evil. Thats your choice.
You’re with the terrorists or you’re with their victims and the soldiers risking life and limb to protect them. You can’t pretend there is a third way.
Wow. Crushing blow. NOT.
What else would you expect from Chavez, the Castro mimic? Now that he supposedly isn't helping poor American families with his oil donations, let him drown in his own oil. And PLEASE DO NOT BUY CITGO GASOLINE NOR USE OTHER CITGO PRODUCTS AND SERVICES!!!
The Israelis ought to make an example of this communist SOB.
Hugo, one of Ahmadinejad’s friends.
Bump.
Haven’t bought that nasty sludge in years.
Thanks for the ping!
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LOL!
A Golden Oldie!
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Yup! - I can’t remember all the names I used on .gifs now!
Folders I do - But searching the indexes is tougher now!
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I’ve out-trickeramed meself!
Lol, many times!! heh
When you get into the mass of stuff we have it can become very difficult to keep track. I have been having more trouble finding things.
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I know most of the folders
I tried to find “Franklin” from the /P/ folder to post with the /F/Reid.gif earlier - but I guess he was not “seated” there.....
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