Israel, Venezuela snap diplomatic ties

Jerusalem, Jan 28 (PTI) Israel and Venezuela today completely snapped their diplomatic ties, with the Jewish state expelling Venezuelan diplomats stationed in Tel Aviv over their standoff on the Gaza incursions.The Israeli move comes days after Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez broke off diplomatic ties and ordered Tel Aviv's envoys to leave Caracas in protest against Israel's recent 22-day long offensive in Gaza Strip which killed 1,300 Palestinians.The move effectively endsdiplomatic relations between the two countries.The Israeli foreign ministry had earlier notified junior diplomats representing Venezuela in Tel Aviv to leave the country within 72 hours.Chavez had last week announced that his country would permanently end ties with Israel over itsrecent offensive against Palestinian people in Gaza, which he described as "Holocaust"."Venezuela ... Has definitively decided to break diplomatic ties with the state of Israel given the inhumane persecution of the Palestinian people carried out by the authorities of Israel,"a statement read over Venezuelan state television said.Venezuela and Iran, the arch-foe of Israel, have developed close ties which has become a matter of concern for the Jewish state. PTI