Israel expels Venezuelan diplomats

JERUSALEM - Israel has expelled all diplomatic staff from the Venezuelan embassy in response to a similar action by the South American state earlier this month, the Jerusalem Post reported Wednesday.

The expulsion order was issued Tuesday, and the Venezuelan diplomats have to leave the Jewish state by Friday, the report quoted foreign ministry spokesman Yossi Levy as saying.

The tit-for-tat move came nearly two weeks after the Venezuelan government announced its decision to severe diplomatic relations with Israel in protest against the latter’s military offensive in the Gaza Strip that killed over 1,400 Palestinians.

The Israeli operation triggered grave concern and fierce condemnation from across the world. Caracas and Bolivia also declared to break off ties with Israel.