Colombian President attacks Israeli Foreign Minister: I am not antisemitic and I reject the war of extermination

Colombian President Gustavo Petro launched a scathing attack on Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar, accusing him of resorting to personal insults to compensate for the absence of convincing political and legal arguments regarding the ongoing aggression in the Gaza Strip. Petro affirmed that his position, rejecting what he described as a 'genocidal war,' stems from his country's commitment to the principles of international law and universal human rights.

In a strongly worded message published on his official accounts, the Colombian President clarified that Sa'ar is trying to fill the void in his political logic by resorting to insults, citing the ideas of the German philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer on the weakness of argument. Petro added that he feels proud when the insult comes from a government accused of committing major crimes, emphasizing that he represents a free people who do not accept dictates.

Petro categorically rejected the repeated Israeli accusations of antisemitism against him, considering this accusation to lack historical and scientific accuracy. He pointed out that Arabs and Jews share the same Semitic roots, explaining that the peoples descended from the language in which ancient historical stories in the region were written are Semitic peoples par excellence.

The Colombian President continued his speech by emphasizing that Arab peoples are Semitic just as the Jewish peoples who historically lived in Palestine were, including Jesus Christ. He affirmed his belief in the human values advocated by Christ, noting that this belief prevents him from sliding into any form of racial or religious hatred.

Petro stressed that his opposition to the war in Gaza is not linked to the religious identity of the perpetrators or victims, but rather stems from the fact that what is happening constitutes a crime against humanity according to international standards. He explained that defending Palestinian rights is a moral and legal duty imposed by global conscience in the face of blatant violations.

In the context of political solutions, the Colombian President reiterated his support for the establishment of an independent and fully sovereign Palestinian state living side by side with Israel. He called for a return to the 1967 borders as a fundamental basis for achieving a just and comprehensive peace that ends decades of conflict and occupation in the region.

Petro also affirmed that he never diminishes the scale of the tragedy suffered by Jews during the Nazi Holocaust in Europe, but rather draws harsh lessons from it to prevent its recurrence. He said that remembering the Holocaust aims to protect humanity from falling into the trap of racism and xenophobia that could lead to new catastrophes.

The Colombian President linked the Nazi Holocaust to the history of the enslavement of African peoples, warning of the emergence of signs of a 'new global Holocaust' targeting migrants and the vulnerable in modern times. He noted that current extremist political discourses are reproducing the ideas that paved the way for the rise of fascism in the last century.

Petro warned of the danger of the spread of hate speech through social media and the use of digital algorithms to fuel ethnic conflicts. He affirmed that warning the world of these dangers does not in any way mean belittling the suffering of Jews, but rather is an investment of the lessons of history in protecting the future of humanity.

In a striking escalation, Petro accused the Israeli government of attempting to directly interfere in Colombia's internal affairs and influence the results of the upcoming elections. He addressed Sa'ar, demanding that he stop building alliances with suspicious parties and former drug traffickers for the purpose of manipulating the democratic process.

The Colombian President based his accusations on reports and audio recordings attributed to former officials in the region, which underwent precise digital forensic examinations. He indicated that this evidence shows systematic attempts to use money and artificial intelligence technologies to mislead Colombian public opinion and destabilize the country.

Petro affirmed that the Colombian people have sufficient awareness to recognize attempts to manipulate their freedom, stressing that his country does not attack anyone but rejects subservience. He added that national sovereignty is a red line that cannot be crossed under any political or security pretext.

The President concluded his message by speaking about the Latin identity that takes 'life and freedom' as its basic motto, recalling the struggle of the Haitian people against slavery and its impact on the history of the region. He explained that the Colombian flag with its three colors symbolizes the Caribbean sun and liberation from all forms of colonialism.

Petro stressed in his concluding remarks that the peoples of Latin America always side with the culture of life and reject the policies of death and destruction that some try to impose internationally. He affirmed that defending human values in Palestine is an integral part of defending human dignity everywhere.

I feel proud of your insult when it comes from a government that committed genocide in Gaza, while I am a free man and belong to a free people.