In These New Times

LA PAZ, Jan 14 (Reuters) – Bolivian President Evo Morales said on Wednesday his country is breaking diplomatic ties with Israel over the offensive in the Gaza Strip that has killed hundreds of Palestinians.

“Bolivia had diplomatic relations with Israel. (But) considering these grave attacks against … humanity, Bolivia will stop having diplomatic relations with Israel,” Morales said in a speech before diplomats in the government palace.

Morales, a leftist, is a close ally of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, who on Jan. 6 expelled Israel’s ambassador in protest over Gaza.

Venezuela is a major supplier of aid to Bolivia.

Israel launched its 19-day-old campaign in Gaza with the declared aim of halting rocket attacks by Hamas into Israel. The Palestinian death toll in the offensive is nearing 1,000. Israel says 13 Israelis have been killed.

In his speeches, Morales often attacks the United States, a main ally of Israel.

He kicked out the U.S. ambassador in September after accusing him of encouraging violent protests against his government.

Chavez followed suit, evicting the U.S. envoy from the oil rich country shortly afterward, in “solidarity” with Morales.

(Reporting by Carlos Quiroga; Editing by Doina Chiacu)