Colombian President Gustavo Petro on Wednesday (May 1) promised he would break his nation's diplomatic&nbsp;relations with Israel over the warring nation's actions in Gaza.&nbsp;

<h2>A 'genocidal' leader</h2>

Petro told a May Day rally in Bogotá, "Here in front of you, the government of change, of the president of the republic announces that tomorrow we will break diplomatic relations with the state of Israel… for having a government, for having a president who is genocidal."

As per the Times of Israel, it is unclear if he used the word "genocidal" to refer to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu or President Isaac Herzog, who serves a largely symbolic role.

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Petro, addressing thousands of supporters, stressed that the world cannot accept "genocide, the extermination of an entire people."

"If Palestine dies, humanity dies," he declared, earning loud applause from the crowd.

Petro, a leftist leader, has been heavily critical of Netanyahu, reports Reuters. He has even requested to join South Africa's case, accusing Israel of genocide at the International Court of Justice.

<h2>Israel slams Colombian President Petro</h2>

Hitting back at Petro, Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz said that the leftist leader was "hate-filled, antisemitic."

Taking to X, Katz posted, "History will remember that Gustavo Petro decided to side with the most despicable monsters known to humanity who burned babies, murdered children, raped women and kidnapped innocent civilians."

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"Relations between Israel and Colombia have always been warm—and no hate-filled, anti-Semitic president can change that. The State of Israel will continue to protect its citizens fearlessly and fearlessly," he added.

Hamas, on the other hand, hailed Colombia's move as a "victory."

"We greatly appreciate the position of Colombian President Gustavo Petro... which we consider a victory for the sacrifices of our people and their just cause," said the group in a statement. According to AFP, the militant group also urged other Latin American countries to follow suit.

Previously, Bolivia, Belize, and South Africa broke their relations with Israel. Several other countries in Latin America, including Colombia, Chile and Honduras, have recalled their diplomats.

(With inputs from agencies)

Colombian President Gustavo Petro on Wednesday (May 1) promised he would break his nation's diplomatic relations with Israel over the warring nation's actions in Gaza.

Colombian President Gustavo Petro on Wednesday (May 1) promised he would break his nation's diplomatic relations with Israel over the warring nation's actions in Gaza. A 'genocidal' leader Petro told a May Day rally in Bogotá, "Here in front of you, the government of change, of the president of the republic announces that tomorrow we will break diplomatic relations with the state of Israel… for having a government, for having a president who is genocidal." As per the Times of Israel, it is unclear if he used the word "genocidal" to refer to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu or President Isaac Herzog, who serves a largely symbolic role. Also read | US accuses Russia of using chemical weapons against Ukraine, links violation to Alexei Navalny poisoning Petro, addressing thousands of supporters, stressed that the world cannot accept "genocide, the extermination of an entire people." "If Palestine dies, humanity dies," he declared, earning loud applause from the crowd. Petro, a leftist leader, has been heavily critical of Netanyahu, reports Reuters. He has even requested to join South Africa's case, accusing Israel of genocide at the International Court of Justice. Israel slams Colombian President Petro Hitting back at Petro, Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz said that the leftist leader was "hate-filled, antisemitic." Taking to X, Katz posted, "History will remember that Gustavo Petro decided to side with the most despicable monsters known to humanity who burned babies, murdered children, raped women and kidnapped innocent civilians." Also read | Trump blasts Biden, says 'every single thing he touches turns to sh**,' pledges world peace "Relations between Israel and Colombia have always been warm—and no hate-filled, anti-Semitic president can change that. The State of Israel will continue to protect its citizens fearlessly and fearlessly," he added. Hamas, on the other hand, hailed Colombia's move as a "victory." "We greatly appreciate the position of Colombian President Gustavo Petro... which we consider a victory for the sacrifices of our people and their just cause," said the group in a statement. According to AFP, the militant group also urged other Latin American countries to follow suit. Previously, Bolivia, Belize, and South Africa broke their relations with Israel. Several other countries in Latin America, including Colombia, Chile and Honduras, have recalled their diplomats. (With inputs from agencies)

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Prosecutors from the International Criminal Court have interviewed staff from Gaza's two biggest hospitals, two sources told Reuters, the first confirmation that ICC investigators were speaking to medics about possible crimes in the Gaza Strip.

The sources, who asked not to be identified due to the sensitivity of the subject, told Reuters ICC investigators had taken testimony from staff who had worked in the main hospital in Gaza City in the north of the enclave, Al Shifa, and the main hospital in Khan Younis in the south, Nasser.

The sources declined to provide more details, citing concerns about the safety of potential witnesses.

One of the sources said that events surrounding the hospitals could become part of the investigation by the ICC, which hears criminal cases against individuals for war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide and aggression.

The ICC's office of the prosecutor refused to comment on operational matters in ongoing investigations citing the need to ensure the safety of victims and witnesses.

The ICC has said it is investigating both sides in the conflict, including both the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas fighters on Israel and the subsequent Israeli offensive in Gaza.

During the conflict, the two main Gaza hospitals have both been high profile Israeli targets - surrounded, besieged and stormed by Israeli forces who accused Hamas militants of using them for military purposes, which Hamas and medical staff deny.

In recent days, Palestinian officials have also demanded investigations after hundreds of bodies were exhumed in mass graves at Nasser. The two sources were not able to say whether such graves formed part of any questioning.

Israel denies carrying out war crimes, including in or around Gaza hospitals, where it says all its military activities have been justified by the presence of Hamas fighters.

Hospitals are protected during wartime by international treaties, which can make attacks on them war crimes under the ICC, although they can lose this protection under some circumstances if they are used by combatants in a way that is harmful to the enemy.

Israel is not a member of the ICC, while the Palestinian territories were admitted as a member state in 2015. The ICC says this gives it jurisdiction over actions by anyone including Israeli soldiers in the Palestinian territories, and by Palestinians anywhere, including on Israeli territory. Israel does not recognise any ICC jurisdiction over its citizens.

Any ICC criminal case would be separate from a case in the International Court of Justice, or World Court, which was brought by South Africa and accuses Israel of genocide in Gaza, which Israel denies. The ICJ, also based in the Hague, hears lawsuits between states, while the ICC hears criminal cases against individuals.

<h2>'Dangerous Precedent'&nbsp;</h2>

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Friday any ICC move would not affect Israel's actions but would "set a dangerous precedent that threatens soldiers and public figures".

"Under my leadership, Israel will never accept any attempt by the International Criminal Court in the Hague to undermine its basic right to defend itself," he wrote on Telegram.

Hamas fighters attacked Israel on Oct. 7, killing 1,200 people and capturing 253 hostages, by Israeli tallies. Israel responded with an assault that Palestinian health authorities say has killed at least 34,000 people, with thousands more bodies believed lost under the rubble.

In a sign the ICC's investigation into the Oct. 7 attacks has been moving forward, Yael Vias Gvirsman, a lawyer representing some Israeli victims, said in February a handful of her clients had given testimony directly to ICC investigators.

Prosecutors from the International Criminal Court have interviewed staff from Gaza's two biggest hospitals, two sources told Reuters, the first confirmation that ICC investigators were speaking to medics about possible crimes in the Gaza Strip.

Prosecutors from the International Criminal Court have interviewed staff from Gaza's two biggest hospitals, two sources told Reuters, the first confirmation that ICC investigators were speaking to medics about possible crimes in the Gaza Strip. The sources, who asked not to be identified due to the sensitivity of the subject, told Reuters ICC investigators had taken testimony from staff who had worked in the main hospital in Gaza City in the north of the enclave, Al Shifa, and the main hospital in Khan Younis in the south, Nasser. The sources declined to provide more details, citing concerns about the safety of potential witnesses. One of the sources said that events surrounding the hospitals could become part of the investigation by the ICC, which hears criminal cases against individuals for war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide and aggression. The ICC's office of the prosecutor refused to comment on operational matters in ongoing investigations citing the need to ensure the safety of victims and witnesses. The ICC has said it is investigating both sides in the conflict, including both the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas fighters on Israel and the subsequent Israeli offensive in Gaza. During the conflict, the two main Gaza hospitals have both been high profile Israeli targets - surrounded, besieged and stormed by Israeli forces who accused Hamas militants of using them for military purposes, which Hamas and medical staff deny. In recent days, Palestinian officials have also demanded investigations after hundreds of bodies were exhumed in mass graves at Nasser. The two sources were not able to say whether such graves formed part of any questioning. Israel denies carrying out war crimes, including in or around Gaza hospitals, where it says all its military activities have been justified by the presence of Hamas fighters. Hospitals are protected during wartime by international treaties, which can make attacks on them war crimes under the ICC, although they can lose this protection under some circumstances if they are used by combatants in a way that is harmful to the enemy. Israel is not a member of the ICC, while the Palestinian territories were admitted as a member state in 2015. The ICC says this gives it jurisdiction over actions by anyone including Israeli soldiers in the Palestinian territories, and by Palestinians anywhere, including on Israeli territory. Israel does not recognise any ICC jurisdiction over its citizens. Any ICC criminal case would be separate from a case in the International Court of Justice, or World Court, which was brought by South Africa and accuses Israel of genocide in Gaza, which Israel denies. The ICJ, also based in the Hague, hears lawsuits between states, while the ICC hears criminal cases against individuals. 'Dangerous Precedent' Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Friday any ICC move would not affect Israel's actions but would "set a dangerous precedent that threatens soldiers and public figures". "Under my leadership, Israel will never accept any attempt by the International Criminal Court in the Hague to undermine its basic right to defend itself," he wrote on Telegram. Hamas fighters attacked Israel on Oct. 7, killing 1,200 people and capturing 253 hostages, by Israeli tallies. Israel responded with an assault that Palestinian health authorities say has killed at least 34,000 people, with thousands more bodies believed lost under the rubble. In a sign the ICC's investigation into the Oct. 7 attacks has been moving forward, Yael Vias Gvirsman, a lawyer representing some Israeli victims, said in February a handful of her clients had given testimony directly to ICC investigators.

Gaza hospital staff questioned by ICC war crimes prosecutors: Report

As pro-Palestinian protests continue to rage on university campuses across the United States, demonstrators and university leadership of Northwestern University in the US state of Illinois announced, late Monday (Apr 29) that they have reached an agreement to end the encampment set up on campus.&nbsp;

<h2>Protests to continue</h2>

The Daily Northwestern, a student-led newspaper of the university said that after five days of demonstrations, pro-Palestinian student protesters wrapped up negotiations with the officials and struck a deal which would allow protests and gatherings in support of Palestine at the Deering Meadow in exchange for an end to the encampment set up there.

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In line with the agreement, students would have to end the encampment set up on Deering Meadow since Thursday (Apr 25), while university leadership said they would ensure more transparency in its investments.&nbsp;

This comes as protesters not only at Northwestern but across several campuses have demanded that their universities divest from Israel while calling for an end to the war in Gaza.&nbsp;

The deal also allows only NU students, faculty and staff to protest at the Deering Meadow in support of Palestine till June 1.&nbsp;

<h2>About the deal</h2>

Northwestern Divestment Coalition which set up the encampment praised the demonstrators’ efforts for successfully growing the encampment over the days while avoiding suspensions or arrests.

The group, in its statement, had called on the university to end its partnerships with Israel, including Northwestern University’s Israel Innovation Project, which, according to the student-led newspaper, facilitates academic collaborations with Israeli institutions.&nbsp;

It also called on the university to disclose its investments and divest from “institutions and companies that support and maintain apartheid, occupation and the oppression of the Palestinian people.”

The university for its part said it would “answer questions from any internal stakeholder about holdings, held currently or within the last quarter, to the best of its knowledge and to the extent legally possible”.&nbsp;

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israeli-forces-will-enter-rafah-with-or-without-gaza-hostage-deal-says-netanyahu-716734">Israeli forces will enter Rafah ‘with or without’ Gaza hostage deal, says PM Netanyahu</a>

It will also reestablish an Advisory Committee on Investment Responsibility which will include representatives from students, faculty and staff.

Northwestern University, as per ABC News, also pledged more inclusivity, funding two Palestinian faculty members and the full cost of attendance for five Palestinian undergraduate students every year.&nbsp;

As a part of the agreement, the university said that the encampment would be dismantled immediately, except for one aid tent and students are required to stop the “non-approved use of amplified sound.”

(With inputs from agencies)

As pro-Palestinian protests continue to rage on university campuses across the United States, demonstrators and university leadership of Northwestern University in the US state of Illinois announced, late Monday (Apr 29) that they have reached an agreement to end the encampment set up on campus.

As pro-Palestinian protests continue to rage on university campuses across the United States, demonstrators and university leadership of Northwestern University in the US state of Illinois announced, late Monday (Apr 29) that they have reached an agreement to end the encampment set up on campus. Protests to continue The Daily Northwestern, a student-led newspaper of the university said that after five days of demonstrations, pro-Palestinian student protesters wrapped up negotiations with the officials and struck a deal which would allow protests and gatherings in support of Palestine at the Deering Meadow in exchange for an end to the encampment set up there. Also Read | Columbia student protesters seize university building, White House condemns In line with the agreement, students would have to end the encampment set up on Deering Meadow since Thursday (Apr 25), while university leadership said they would ensure more transparency in its investments. This comes as protesters not only at Northwestern but across several campuses have demanded that their universities divest from Israel while calling for an end to the war in Gaza. The deal also allows only NU students, faculty and staff to protest at the Deering Meadow in support of Palestine till June 1. About the deal Northwestern Divestment Coalition which set up the encampment praised the demonstrators’ efforts for successfully growing the encampment over the days while avoiding suspensions or arrests. The group, in its statement, had called on the university to end its partnerships with Israel, including Northwestern University’s Israel Innovation Project, which, according to the student-led newspaper, facilitates academic collaborations with Israeli institutions. It also called on the university to disclose its investments and divest from “institutions and companies that support and maintain apartheid, occupation and the oppression of the Palestinian people.” The university for its part said it would “answer questions from any internal stakeholder about holdings, held currently or within the last quarter, to the best of its knowledge and to the extent legally possible”. Also Read | Israeli forces will enter Rafah ‘with or without’ Gaza hostage deal, says PM Netanyahu It will also reestablish an Advisory Committee on Investment Responsibility which will include representatives from students, faculty and staff. Northwestern University, as per ABC News, also pledged more inclusivity, funding two Palestinian faculty members and the full cost of attendance for five Palestinian undergraduate students every year. As a part of the agreement, the university said that the encampment would be dismantled immediately, except for one aid tent and students are required to stop the “non-approved use of amplified sound.” (With inputs from agencies)

Northwestern University reaches deal with pro-Palestinian protesters to end encampment on campus

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