Israel recalls ambassador from Venezuela

Israel on Monday said it had ordered its ambassador to Venezuela to return home for consultations,

following last week's recall to Caracas of Venezuela's Israel envoy, in protest at what President Hugo Chavez

called Israel's "genocide" In Lebanon.

Chavez, an outspoken left-wing leader, has angered Israel with his display of affection for Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who has repeatedly called for Israel's destruction. "We are disturbed by the one-sided Middle East approach of the president of Venuleza," Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman Mark Regev told The Associated Press. "We have a problem with the leadership in Caracas that hugs the

Iranian president who calls for the annihilation of Israel."