Bolivia's leftist president has declared Israel a "terrorist state" because of its military operation in the Gaza Strip, and his government will now require Israeli citizens to obtain a visa to visit the South American nation. President Evo Morales already broke off diplomatic relations with Israel in 2009, calling Israel's treatment of Palestinians "a genocide." Other South American countries, including Brazil, El Salvador, Chile, Ecuador and Peru, have recalled their ambassadors from Israel in protest over the fighting in Gaza. Israel has expressed deep disappointment with El Salvador's, Peru's and Chile's decisions to recall their ambassadors for consultations. In a statement released by the Foreign Ministry on Wednesday, spokesman Yigal Palmor said, "Israel expresses its deep disappointment with the hasty decision of the governments of El Salvador, Peru and Chile to recall their ambassadors for consultations. This step constitutes encouragement for Hamas, a group recognized as a terror organization by many countries around the world. ... Israel expects countries that oppose terrorism to act responsibly and not to hand terrorists a prize."
