Venezuela Calls "Israeli" Leaders Criminals

 
29-01-2009
Venezuela's government said Wednesday it is proud of that "Israel" has expelled its ambassador, calling "Israel's" leaders criminals.
"Israel's" Foreign Ministry announced Wednesday that it had ordered the Venezuelan ambassador to leave this week, responding to Venezuela's Jan. 6 declaration that it was expelling "Israeli" diplomats because of "Israel's" aggression against the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip.
Venezuela escalated the clash on Jan. 14 by saying it was breaking relations altogether. "The response of the state of "Israel" is weak, late, and in any case for us it's an honor," Foreign Minister Nicolas Maduro told the Qatar-based television network Al-Jazeera. "We're proud that the state of ‘Israel' that exists today, led by these criminals, made this decision." The comments were posted on his ministry's Web site.
Maduro also rejected accusations of anti-Semitism by a Zionist community leader, Abraham Levy.
"All of the Muslim, Jewish and Christian communities know religious discrimination is not a problem that has or will have a place in our society," Maduro said, complaining that every time a country criticizes "Israel's" government, it "Is automatically added to the list of anti-Semites."
Hundreds of demonstrators supported President Hugo Chavez's decision to expel "Israeli" ambassador Shlomo, spraying graffiti and hurling shoes at "Israel's" embassy in Venezuela.
"Where we live, the anti-Semitism is sanctioned," Levy told the world Jewish Congress in occupied 'Jerusalem' (al-Quds) on Monday, according to the "Israeli" newspaper Haaretz. "It comes from the president, through the government, and into the media."