Posted: Monday, November 20, 2023. 8:57 pm CST.
By Aaron Humes: The Deputy Director General for Latin America in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Israel, and its former non-resident Ambassador to Belize, Jonathan Peled, has issued a broadside against Belmopan’s decision to withdraw its agreement for the accreditation of Israel’s Ambassador Designate to Belize Einat Kranz-Neiger and suspended activities conducted by and appointment of a new Honorary Consul.
The decision puts Belize on a short list of countries that have also cut diplomatic ties with Israel including Bolivia and South Africa.
Ambassador Peled told Channel 5 News that the decision was “one-sided and biased” and “counterproductive,” and a departure from the principles of the democratic free world including standing against terrorism. He insisted his country was rightfully defending itself and Belize appears to be siding with the “terrorists.”
Peled noted that 31 Latin Americans are among the 240 hostages taken by Hamas as are 30 children under the age of six and that “Hamas is worse than ISIS [the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria]. Hamas has been condemned by most of the free world, and we expect Belize to do the same.”
Among the immediate effects of Belmopan’s decision is a reduction of tourism and plans for investment and business by Israelis. Peled mentioned that Israel will issue a travel advisory to citizens stating that Belize has no consular attention which will essentially keep them from visiting as they will not be recognized, not to mention American and other Jews who are considering doing business here. He also warned that countries friendly to Israel, including the United States and other countries in Latin America and the Caribbean, will not take it well.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Senator Eamon Courtenay has said in brief response that there is very little he can say that would be considered diplomatic but reiterated that Belizeans in Israel can seek the services of an unrevealed friendly ‘third country’ for consular services.
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