07-08-2014: Latin American Weekly Report

Latin America has taken decisive diplomatic action in response to Israel’s military offensive in the Gaza Strip. Criticism of Israel has naturally varied in intensity but it has transcended ideological differences. Ambassadors have been withdrawn for consultation by friend and foe alike. Israel had launched a charm offensive in parts of Latin America in recent months after the region moved en masse to recognise the Palestinian State, and out of fear of Iran’s growing influence there. It would be going too far to say all this good work has been undone—many countries are just as keen for Israeli agricultural know-how and arms exports as Israel is to diversify its trade—but it has been set back.