BELIZE-Israel profoundly regrets the decision taken by Belize over the Gaza war.

BELMOPAN, Belize, CMC – Israel says it “deeply regrets” the decision by Belize to implement several measures against the country, including withdrawing its agreement regarding the accreditation of its Ambassador Designate in protest at the actions of the Israeli Defence Force (IDF) in the Gaza.

“We believe that this is a one-sided and biased decision which we are totally against, and we believe it’s counterproductive,” said the Deputy Director General for Latin America in the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Jonathan Peled.

“And, we are seriously concerned that this is a departure from the principles that we believe that believes shares with the democratic free world. And that is to stand very firmly against terrorism in all its forms. And to unilaterally take action against the side that has been attacked,” he added.

But. Foreign Affairs Minister Eamon Courtenay told reporters that while that is the case, the way that Israel has responded is illegal, contrary to international humanitarian law, disproportionate, and amounts to genocide.

“We regretted very strongly and condemned what we regarded as the killing of innocent civilians on October 7. However, what we have said is that the response by Israel is not only illegal, it is not only contrary to international law and international humanitarian law. It is disproportionate. It amounts to genocide, and we condemn that most strongly, and we You have made us very clear to Israel,” he added.

Last Wednesday, Belmopan said it was also suspending “all activities conducted by the Israeli. It said that since October 7, the IDF has engaged in “unceasing indiscriminate bombing in Gaza, which has killed more than 11,000 innocent civilians, mostly women and children”.

Israel estimates 1,200 people were killed in the Hamas terrorist attack on October 7, with 239 people still held hostage with the United Nations Security Council calling for the immediate release of all hostages held by Hamas and for urgent and extended humanitarian corridors throughout the enclave to save and protect civilian lives.

Peled said that Israel intends to “stand very firmly against terrorism in all its forms.

“And to unilaterally take action against the side that has been attacked, and that is rightfully defending itself is contrary to what we believe is proper.

“This is a very unfortunate, if not evil, way of calling a terrorist organization that calls for the open destruction of the state of Israel that invaded Israel on October 7 and slaughtered, tortured, maimed, burned, and raped 1, 400 Israelis and abducted another 240 of them.:

The Israeli official said that among those held in captivity by Hamas are young children and 31 Latin Americans.

“So this is not only an Israeli problem but an international one. So, I do not understand how anyone can endorse such an action and how anyone can be as ignorant as to call this resistant agreement. Hamas is worse than ISIS. Hamas has been condemned by most of the free world, and we expect Belize to do the same.”

Peled maintains that the position by Belize is “counterproductive,” adding, “It is extraordinary and weird. I must learn how to characterize Belize’s decision to renounce its honorary consul in Israel.

“The consul supposed to represent Belize in Israel has been now. This will have consequences primarily in reducing tourism to Belize for Israelis wanting to visit Belize or invest and do business in Belize.

“So, yes. I think this is counterproductive,” he said, adding, “I think this has a secondary effect.

“And as I said, this, I’m sure, will not be taken well by many friendly countries to Israel, such as the United States and other countries in Latin America and the Caribbean, who do not see eye to eye with Belize. Therefore, we believe that this is a very wrong and, as I said, biased and one-sided, unfortunate decision.”