Colombian president takes aim at Israeli defense chief over remarks on Palestine

By Laura Gamba

BOGOTA, Colombia (AA) - Colombian President Gustavo Petro on Monday took aim at Israeli officials' remarks, drawing a comparison between the actions of the Israeli government and historical events involving the holocaust.

Petro made reference to the remarks made by Yoav Galant, Israel's Minister of Defense, regarding a forceful offensive against Palestine and his description of the groups they are combating as "human animals."

"Such language is reminiscent of what the Nazis said about the Jews," Petro said on Monday. "Democratic nations must prevent the resurgence of Nazism in international politics. Both Israelis and Palestinians are human beings who must adhere to international law. If this continues, it can only lead to a holocaust."

Petro expressed concerns about Israel's alleged plans to transform Gaza into a "concentration camp."

"No democratic nation can condone the transformation of Gaza into a concentration camp," Petro emphasized. "Concentration camps are strictly prohibited by international law, and those responsible for them can be charged with crimes against humanity."

Petro said that “the only way for Palestinian children to sleep in peace is for Israeli children to sleep in peace” and vice versa.

“That will never be achieved by war, only by a peace agreement that respects international law and the right of both peoples to coexist freely,” he said.

He shared images of Palestinian children who had lost their lives as a result of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

This analogy to the horrors of the holocaust, where millions of Jews were exterminated by the Nazis in concentration camps, has sparked a wave of criticism from people from all political sides in the country.

These remarks come amid escalating tensions between Israel and Palestine following a surprise attack by Hamas on early Saturday morning involving dozens of fighters infiltrating Israeli towns and resulting in the loss of hundreds of lives.