MEXICO, August 3 (RIA Novosti) – Thousands of Venezuelans have gathered in Caracas to express solidarity with Palestinians and to condemn what they called “genocide” of Palestinian civilians, Mexican news agency Notimex has reported.
“People of Venezuela are concerned about genocide committed by Israel against the Palestinian people with the shameless support of American imperialism,” the news agency quoted Jesus Farias, the member of Venezuela’s ruling United Social Party as saying.
According to Farias, Caracas rally aimed not only to condemn Israel’s actions, but also to promote anti-imperialism struggle and solidarity of peoples bequeathed by former President Hugo Chavez, who in 2009 actually broke off diplomatic relations between Caracas and Tel Aviv after the operation of Israeli troops in the Gaza Strip.
On July 8, 2014, Israel launched Operation Protective Edge to put an end to rocket fire from Gaza and undermine the Hamas movement, which dominates the Gaza Strip.
On July 17, the Israeli Army launched a ground assault, largely aimed at locating and destroying underground tunnels dug by militants to transport weapons and sneak into Israel.
More than 1,400 Palestinians and nearly 60 Israelis have been killed since the offensive began.
