Are We Witnessing the Collapse of Resistance Against Israel’s Actions in Gaza?
In a significant diplomatic shift, Bolivia’s Foreign Minister Fernando Aramayo and his Israeli counterpart signed a joint declaration on December 9, 2023, in Washington, signaling the reestablishment of official ties between the two nations, with ambassadors set to be appointed soon.
Bolivia was the first nation in Latin America—and among the initial countries globally—to sever relations with Israel, citing its ongoing military campaign in Gaza as a justification for this action. The decision was made by the government of Luis Arce on November 7, 2023, in response to what was described as Israel’s “aggressive and disproportionate” military measures.
Now, with Rodrigo Paz Pereira leading Bolivia’s first right-wing administration in two decades, this critical stance towards Israel appears to be unraveling.
Hamas has characterized President Paz’s move as a “reversal of the honorable decision made by the previous Bolivian government to sever relations with the occupying forces amid the genocide perpetrated against the Palestinian people in Gaza”:
“We urge all nations and organizations to continue isolating the Zionist entity and to hold it accountable for its crimes against our people and their serious violations of international law and human rights.”
Israel’s Deceptive Narrative
Reports indicate that since October 2023, the Israeli military has killed over 70,000 individuals in Gaza, predominantly women and children, with more than 171,000 others injured during its relentless offensives that have devastated the region. However, these figures are likely grossly underestimated.
As Jonathan Cook points out in his analysis, “Israel has effectively created a façade that confines the debate in the West about the Gaza death toll to only those killed by its direct military actions.”
The reality is that a significantly larger number of individuals in Gaza have perished not merely from bombs and gunfire but through what are termed “indirect” causes of death—such as the destruction of homes, water supplies, sanitation facilities, hospitals, and the essential infrastructure necessary for survival. Additionally, many have succumbed to starvation or diseases spread in the resulting environment.
Such indirect fatalities are not reflected in the reported death toll of 70,000. Historical data suggests that many more lives are lost through these causes than from direct attacks. Experts have written to the Lancet estimating that indirect deaths may be four times the count of direct casualties, which would imply that at least 350,000 Palestinians have perished due to Israel’s actions.
Canceling Global Accountability
Regrettably, a majority of the United Nations’ 193 Member States have failed to uphold any moral high ground in their responses to Israel’s actions in Gaza. Many have remained silent as the conflict unfolded, choosing instead to trade with Israel rather than take a stand against its actions.
Even some BRICS nations, including China and Brazil, have increased their trade with Israel since October 2023, while major powers like China and Russia abstained from vetoing a UN Security Council resolution that legitimized previous administrations’ decisions regarding Gaza, rather than put an end to the genocide.
The fact that the genocide continues despite freeing the hostages exposes the propaganda shield…
On the other hand, a few nations—including Iran and allied groups in the Middle East, along with leftist governments in Latin America like Cuba, Venezuela, and Nicaragua—have become steadfast critics of Israel’s actions, voicing opposition against the genocide.
Latin America often stood out as the region most vocally opposed to Israel during the conflict, with some countries shifting from rhetoric to tangible actions. Nicaragua notably severed ties with Israel in November 2024, filing a lawsuit against Germany at the International Court of Justice for its alleged complicity in the violence.
As for Cuba and Venezuela, both had previously cut ties with Israel and actively criticized its actions. Colombia’s government, traditionally aligned with the U.S., has been a surprising player; despite pressures, it has openly condemned Israel’s operations in Gaza and severed formal relations in May 2024.
The Petro government imposed sanctions on the export of Colombian coal to Israel and banned the purchase of Israeli weapons, marking one of the first instances of unilateral sanctions on Israel amid the conflict.
Despite its historical ties to Israel, Colombia is now taking a stand against its past alignment with Israel, an interesting pivot given that it has been described as the “Israel of South America.” Yet political uncertainty looms, as President Petro’s term ends in March 2026.
The rise of a new wave of right-wing governments in Latin America, eager to align with U.S. interests and Israel, poses a threat to the remaining resistance. Leaders like Chile’s newly elected President José Antonio Kast—who has links to the Nazi Party—exemplify the shift toward supporting Israel wholeheartedly.
Chile’s far-right President-elect is an open Pinochet supporter…
A Warning for the Future
As Peru and Colombia prepare for elections and Ecuador’s political landscape shifts, there’s concern that many countries along South America’s western edge may soon be governed by right-wing regimes that staunchly support Israel. Vijay Prashad has termed this trend as “the Angry Tide,” which is marked by a shared agenda among incoming leaders, emphasizing anti-communism and libertarian economics with a resolute backing for Israel.
These politicians, like Argentina’s president Javier Milei, have expressed unbridled support for Israel while establishing partnerships to deepen bilateral relations.
Milei’s administration has recently formalized diplomatic agreements known as the “Isaac Accords,” aimed at fostering deeper ties with Israel and encouraging shared agendas among Latin American nations.
- Propositions include relocating embassies to Jerusalem, aligning votes with Israeli interests at international platforms, and enhancing security partnerships targeting perceived adversaries.
If the Isaac Accords materialize and power continues to shift towards figures supportive of Israel, then one of the last strongholds opposing Israel’s actions in Gaza could be dismantled. The future will largely depend on whether the peoples of Latin America and the Global South are willing to push back against these developments.
