Failed Socialist States Cuts Diplomatic Ties With Israel

I guess the Israelis can kiss that subsidized home heating oil goodbye. Oh wait, that only goes to the failed state of Massachusetts. Whatever. The jug-eared freak Hugo Chavez is severing diplomatic ties with Israel. I'm sure they're heartbroken.

Venezuela on Wednesday broke diplomatic ties with Israel over its deadly military offensive in the Gaza Strip, according to a government statement read on public television.

"The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, in accordance with its vision of world peace, in solidarity and respect for human rights, has decided to definitively break diplomatic ties with Israel," the text said.

This comes on the heels of Bolivia doing the same today, so it's no surprise.

Bolivian President Evo Morales said on Wednesday his country cut diplomatic ties with Israel over the offensive in the Gaza Strip that has killed hundreds of Palestinians.

"Bolivia had diplomatic relations with Israel," Morales said in a speech before diplomats in the government palace. "Considering these grave attacks against ... humanity, Bolivia will stop having diplomatic relations with Israel."

Morales, a leftist, is a close ally of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, who on Jan. 6 expelled Israel's ambassador in protest over Gaza.

Venezuela is a major supplier of aid to Bolivia.

"The crimes committed by the Israeli government affect peace and stability in the world," said Morales, before calling the Israeli invasion of Gaza "a genocide."

Yawn.

Hugo's Boys Get Stoned

How I wish there was some video. This story sounds most amusing.

I guess Hugo Chavez isn't quite as beloved as he fancies himself to be.

Sunday he gets embarrassed by losing the referendum and now his military aircraft is chased away by people throwing stones.

How humiliating.

Bolivians attack Venezuelan army plane with stones

In a violent show of anti-Venezuela sentiment, a crowd of about 200 Bolivians hurled stones at a Venezuelan military plane and prevented it from refueling after it landed on Thursday, local radio reported.

After hearing the incoming plane, the mob seized control of the airport in the Amazonian city of Riberalta and attacked the aircraft. Regional leaders had said they suspected it was carrying arms and not humanitarian supplies, according to the radio reports.

"We won't put up with these Venezuelans who come to the country and do whatever they want. We won't let any Venezuelan planes come here," Mario Aguilera, a Riberalta opposition leader told Erbol radio as the demonstrators chanted "Independence, Independence".

The incident forced the plane to take off without being able to refuel and the provincial airport director told Erbol it eventually landed across the border in Brazil.

Bolivia's leftist President Evo Morales has formed close ties with his Venezuelan counterpart Hugo Chavez since taking office last year, and his rightist opponents repeatedly criticize increased humanitarian and military cooperation.

Linked at Instapundit. Thanks!

UPDATE: Gateway Pundit links and has photos. Thanks for the link!

Meanwhile, Chavez claims he'll step down when his term expires. Once should hope he expires first. H/T Pat Dollard.

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has said he will step down from office when his current term expires in 2013, following the defeat of his reform proposals.

Making his first public statement that he would step down as planned, Chavez said: "The reforms did not get passed, so I will have to leave power in 2013. I will work around the clock; until the very last day I have left here, I will work relentlessly."