Bolivia-Israel Relations: Recognition And Beyond

Bolivia has had a complex relationship with Israel, with the two nations severing diplomatic ties multiple times. Bolivia first cut diplomatic ties with Israel in 2009 under the government of leftist President Evo Morales, in response to Israel's military actions in Gaza. In 2020, the right-wing interim government of Jeanine Anez re-established ties with Israel. However, in 2023, Bolivia once again broke diplomatic relations with Israel, citing Israel's attacks on the Gaza Strip and accusing the country of committing crimes against humanity. This decision was made by the leftist government of President Luis Arce, who expressed solidarity with the Palestinian people. As of November 2023, Bolivia is one of 30 countries that do not recognize Israel, with the majority of these countries being predominantly Muslim.

Bolivia's history of diplomatic ties with Israel

Bolivia's recognition of Israel in 1949 was part of the South American country's recognition of the State of Palestine as part of the Oslo Accords. However, relations between the two countries have often been strained due to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

In 2009, then-Bolivian President Evo Morales, a member of the Movement for Socialism party, broke off diplomatic relations with Israel over its Operation Cast Lead invasion of Gaza. That invasion killed over 1,400 Palestinians and 13 Israelis.

In 2020, the right-wing interim government of Jeanine Anez re-established ties with Israel. However, in 2023, Bolivia once again severed diplomatic ties with Israel, accusing the country of committing "crimes against humanity" in its war with Gaza. Bolivia's socialist administration, led by President Luis Arce, demanded an end to the attacks in Gaza, which had caused thousands of civilian deaths and the forced displacement of Palestinians.

Bolivia became the first country in the world to completely sever diplomatic relations with Israel over the war in Gaza in 2023. This decision was in line with Bolivia's pacifist policy, and the country vowed to pursue sanctions against those responsible for the war crimes committed against the Palestinian people.

In 2024, Bolivia again cut ties with Israel, with President Gustavo Petro describing Israel's siege of Gaza as "genocide." This decision came in the wake of Israel's recognition of and negotiations with the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), which led many African, Asian, and Arab countries to restore or establish diplomatic relations with Israel.

Bolivia's stance on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict

Bolivia has historically maintained diplomatic relations with Israel, recognising its sovereignty in 1949 and establishing official relations in 1950. However, in recent years, Bolivia has adopted an increasingly pro-Palestinian stance, particularly with the election of the Movement for Socialism, which has governed the country almost continuously since 2006.

In 2009, Bolivian President Evo Morales severed government-level ties with Israel, citing the high Palestinian death toll in the Israeli military's "Operation Cast Lead" in the Gaza Strip. Despite this, economic ties and a visa waiver program for travel between the two countries remained in place.

In 2014, following the outbreak of the Gaza War, Morales designated Israel as a "terrorist state" and cancelled the Bolivian-Israeli visa waiver agreement. He also promised to cut bilateral economic ties and ban all Israelis from visiting Bolivia. However, these ties were restored in 2019 after Morales' resignation and the election of Jeanine Áñez of the Social Democratic Movement.

In 2020, the Movement for Socialism party returned to power under President Luis Arce, who once again severed diplomatic ties with Israel in October 2023, citing the high Palestinian death toll in the Israel-Hamas war. Arce's administration has been vocal in its condemnation of Israeli military operations in the Gaza Strip, accusing Israel of violating international law and committing war crimes. Bolivia has urged the United Nations Security Council to intervene and prevent the "genocide of the Palestinian people," calling for a definitive solution that recognises Palestine's right to self-determination and sovereignty.

Bolivia's position on Israel's sovereignty

In 2009, during the presidency of leftist Evo Morales, Bolivia cut diplomatic ties with Israel over its military actions in Gaza. This decision was reiterated in 2023 by the current Bolivian government, led by leftist President Luis Arce, who also condemned Israel's "aggressive and disproportionate military offensive" in the region. Bolivia went as far as to accuse Israel of committing "crimes against humanity" and joined the calls for a ceasefire and the delivery of humanitarian aid to the affected areas in Gaza.

Bolivia's stance on Israel's sovereignty, therefore, appears to be influenced by its criticism of Israel's military actions and their impact on Palestinian civilians. Bolivia's decision to sever diplomatic ties with Israel and its condemnation of Israel's offensive in Gaza indicate a lack of recognition for Israel's sovereignty, at least in the context of the ongoing conflict with Palestine.

It is worth noting that Bolivia's position on Israel's sovereignty has not always been consistent. In 2020, during the interim presidency of right-wing Jeanine Anez, diplomatic relations between Bolivia and Israel were reestablished. This suggests that Bolivia's stance on Israel may shift again in the future depending on political and diplomatic developments.

Overall, Bolivia's position on Israel's sovereignty is complex and influenced by the country's foreign policy priorities, human rights concerns, and the ongoing dynamics of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Israel's response to Bolivia's actions

Bolivia and Israel have had a dynamic relationship since Bolivia officially recognised Israel in 1949, with diplomatic ties being severed and re-established several times. Bolivia's response to Israeli military operations against Hamas in the Gaza Strip has been to increasingly adopt a pro-Palestinian stance at the United Nations, eliciting a negative response from the Israeli government.

In 2009, Bolivia severed diplomatic ties with Israel for the first time, decrying the Palestinian death toll in the Israeli military's "Operation Cast Lead" in the Gaza Strip. This decision was made by the leftist Bolivian President Evo Morales, who was considered an ally of former Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez, who also severed diplomatic ties with Israel. Bolivia's leader of the Jewish community, Abraham Levi, stated that Bolivia had "taken a position of a terrorist group, supporting Hamas and not accepting the arguments of the Israeli government."

In 2014, Morales designated Israel as a "terrorist state" and cancelled the Bolivian-Israeli visa waiver agreement, while also promising to cut bilateral economic ties and ban all Israelis from visiting Bolivia.

In 2019, Morales resigned from the presidency due to Bolivian protests and was succeeded by Jeanine Áñez of the Social Democratic Movement, after which Bolivia restored diplomatic relations with Israel.

In 2020, the Movement for Socialism party returned to power under the presidency of Luis Arce, who severed the country's ties with Israel on 31 October 2023, decrying the Palestinian death toll in the Israel-Hamas war. Arce expressed his solidarity with the Palestinian people, stating that Bolivia "cannot remain silent and continue to allow the suffering of the Palestinian people, especially of the children, who have the right to live in peace. We condemn the war crimes being committed in Gaza." Arce's decision was celebrated by Morales, who urged Bolivia to declare Israel a terrorist state and file a complaint with the International Criminal Court.

In response to Bolivia's actions, Israel has not remained silent. Following Bolivia's initial severing of ties in 2009, Israel's deputy foreign minister, Danny Ayalon, stated that Bolivia had "joined Iran and a handful of countries that support terrorism and oppose peace." He also accused Morales of using Israel as a scapegoat to divert attention from domestic problems.

In 2014, after Morales declared Israel a "terrorist state," the Israeli Foreign Ministry released a statement expressing "deep regret" over the decision and accusing Morales of "supporting terrorism and denying Israel's right to defend itself."

In response to Bolivia's most recent severing of ties in 2023, there has been no official statement from Israel's foreign ministry. However, Israel's ambassador to Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay, Yoed Magen, criticised Arce's decision, stating that Arce "does not care about the lives of his citizens, nor of the Israelis or Palestinians." Magen also accused Arce of being a dictator and anti-Semitic, stating that Arce "does not care about the lives of his citizens, nor of the Israelis or Palestinians. He only cares about his dictatorship and his alliance with Iran."

Other countries' reactions to Bolivia's decision

Bolivia's decision to sever ties with Israel was met with a range of reactions from other countries, with some supporting and others criticising the move. Here is an overview of the responses:

Support for Bolivia's Decision:

• Colombia and Chile: Bolivia's neighbours, Colombia and Chile, recalled their ambassadors to Israel for consultations. They joined Bolivia in condemning Israel's attacks on Gaza and calling for a ceasefire. Colombian President Gustavo Petro referred to the attacks as a "massacre of the Palestinian people" on social media.
• Mexico and Brazil: Other Latin American countries, such as Mexico and Brazil, also called for a ceasefire and criticised Israel's actions in Gaza. Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva denounced what he described as the "insanity" of Israel's prime minister, who he claimed wanted to "wipe out the Gaza Strip."

Criticism of Bolivia's Decision:

• Israel: Israel's foreign ministry did not immediately provide an official response to Bolivia's decision. However, the Israeli military accused Iran-backed Hamas of using civilian buildings as cover for fighters, commanders, and weaponry, which Hamas denied.
• United States: The United States has historically been Israel's strongest ally and provided significant support since its establishment in 1948. While there was no specific mention of Bolivia's decision, the US has consistently supported Israel in the context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Bolivia's move to cut diplomatic ties with Israel in 2023 was not an isolated incident. Previously, in 2009, under the government of leftist President Evo Morales, Bolivia had also severed relations with Israel over its actions in Gaza. However, in 2020, under interim President Jeanine Anez, diplomatic ties were reestablished.

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