JERUSALEM (JTA) — Israel ordered the Venezuelan ambassador and his staff to leave the country.
The move, announced Wednesday by Israel’s Foreign Ministry, comes after Venezuela on Jan. 6 expelled Israeli diplomats over the Gaza military operation. One week later, Venezuela announced it was breaking off relations completely, though it left its ambassador in place.
The Venezuelans must leave Israel by Friday.
"The response of the State of Israel is weak, late and in any case for us it’s an honor," Venezuelan Foreign Minister Nicolas Maduro told the Al-Jazeera television network. "We’re proud that the State of Israel that exists today, led by these criminals, made this decision."
