Colombian President Gustavo Petro directed comments at Israel this week that have been deemed antisemitic. Texas Rep. Michael McCaul (R) and Florida Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar (R) issued a statement, condemning President Petro’s comments.
McCaul, the House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman, and Salazar, the Western Hemisphere Chairwoman, released the statement shortly after the Colombian president took to social media.
In his comments, Petro accused Israel of genocide, asking them instead to take an active role “in the peace of Colombia” as well as helping “in the peace of Palestine and the world.”
Petro threatened “to suspend foreign relations with Israel,” further accusing Israel of contributing to genocide in Colombia.
Si hay que suspender relaciones exteriores con Israel las suspendemos. No apoyamos genocidios.
Al presidente de Colombia no se le insulta.
Convoco a América Laltina a una solidaridad real con Colombia. Y si no es capaz, será el desarrollo de la historia la que dirá la última… https://t.co/WpafrsWkC2
— Gustavo Petro (@petrogustavo) October 15, 2023
McCaul and Salazar then issued a statement, sharing, “we are appalled by President Petro’s unhinged and antisemitic posts on X.”
“In no universe should any leader, especially one that governs a democratic nation, compare Israel to Nazi Germany and accuse it of genocide,” they added, sharing that “comments such as these inflame antisemitism and threaten the security of Colombia’s Jewish community.”
Condemning Petro’s comments, McCaul and Salazar concluded by sharing that the president’s “continued anti-democratic behavior and hostility with the truth threaten our historical bilateral relationship.”
Colombia and Israel are now embroiled in a back and forth as Petro signals support for Hamas and Israel condemns Petro, arguing that he is putting Jewish lives in danger and supporting "the horrific acts of Hamas terrorists" by sharing "hostile and antisemitic statements." Petro has denounced Israel, accusing it of assuming "Neo-Nazi" efforts against the Palestinian people.
