Hugo Chavez
Photo: Reuters
Chavez: No plan to restore ties with Israel
Venezuelan president tells Al-Jazeera would consider matter if Israel's leaders 'stop being a genocidal elite subordinated to US'
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez says his government isn't considering restoring diplomatic ties with Israel.
Chavez told the pan-Arab TV station Al-Jazeera that he would only reconsider the matter if Israel's leaders stop being a "Genocidal elite subordinated to the United States."
Venezuela broke off relations with Israel in January to protest its offensive in the Gaza Strip.
The Venezuelan state news agency reported that Al-Jazeera asked Chavez about restoring ties and that Chavez replied: "We haven't thought about that, and nothing is seen on the horizon to re-establish relations."
Clips from the interview were shown Sunday on Venezuelan state TV as Chavez prepared to attend a summit of South American and Arab leaders in Qatar.
