Colombian Leader Advocates for ‘International Army’ to Liberate Palestine and Halt Gaza Genocide
Colombian President Gustavo Petro has advocated for military intervention in Palestine, urging the formation of an international force to "liberate Palestine" and counter what he describes as "tyranny and totalitarianism" imposed by the United States and NATO.
In his address to the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday, Petro called upon nations opposed to genocide to come together and establish a robust international coalition aimed at safeguarding the lives of the Palestinian people.
He stated a call to action for countries opposed to genocide, urging them to form a strong coalition. Emphasizing global unity, he invited nations and their citizens to mobilize military resources in a concerted effort to support the liberation of Palestine.
Petro emphasized the urgency of taking concrete steps, rather than relying solely on rhetoric, highlighting the widespread impact of actions beyond Gaza and the Caribbean. He warned that these measures affect all of humanity striving for freedom.
He voiced apprehension that the activities of Washington and NATO are eroding democratic principles and fueling the revival of tyranny and totalitarianism worldwide. He underscored the imperative to champion the cause of “liberty or death.”
Petro’s appeal for military intervention in Palestine echoed a similar initiative by Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, who signaled his readiness to contribute 20,000 troops for a military contingent potentially deployed in Gaza.
Since October 7, 2023, Israel has initiated extensive military operations in Gaza. This action comes in the aftermath of the launch of Operation al-Aqsa Flood by Palestinian resistance fighters, which was carried out as a surprise offensive against Israel, in response to long-standing hostilities and policies impacting Palestinians.
Since March 2, Israeli authorities have closed all border crossings, halting the flow of humanitarian aid and exacerbating Gaza’s severe humanitarian crisis.
The ongoing military offensive in Gaza has resulted in the deaths of over 65,000 Palestinians, predominantly women and children.
On Tuesday, Chile’s President Gabriel Boric voiced his aspiration for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to face an international tribunal over allegations of genocide in the Gaza Strip, likening the situation to historical cases in the Balkans and Rwanda.
During his address to the UN General Assembly in New York, he expressed a firm stance, stating that he does not wish to see Netanyahu harmed by missile attacks alongside his family. Instead, he advocated for Netanyahu and others he holds accountable for alleged acts against the Palestinian people to be brought before an international court of justice.
Boric expressed strong disapproval of Israel’s military actions in Qatar and its aggressive stance towards Iran, emphasizing the importance of the international community in addressing such hostility and reinforcing the multilateral system.
In relation to the situation in Gaza, he admitted the challenge in articulating fresh expressions to convey the persistent tragedy.
In a somber statement, Boric highlighted the tragic loss of innocent lives amid the Palestinian crisis, drawing parallels to historical atrocities and framing the situation as a global humanitarian concern.
The Chilean leader emphasized the tragic loss of life among Palestinians, urging a shift in focus from statistics, condemnations, or demands to a discussion rooted in humanity.
“There is a profound anguish in our nation, in Chile,” which hosts the largest Palestinian community globally outside of Arab countries, he remarked, as the distress deepens with children trapped under the rubble.
In his final statements, Boric emphasized the unacceptability of violence in all its manifestations, urging for a shift from pain and hatred towards the quest for justice. He strongly advised against yielding to violent actions.
