Venezuela: We're honored Israel expelled our diplomats

Venezuela's government said Wednesday it was proud that Israel has expelled its diplomatic envoys, calling Israel's leaders criminals while denying allegations of anti-Semitism at home.

Israel's Foreign Ministry announced Wednesday that it had ordered the Venezuelan ambassador to leave this week, responding to Venezuela's Jan. 6 declaration that it was expelling Israeli diplomats in protest of Israel's military offensive in the Gaza Strip.

Venezuela escalated the clash on Jan. 14 by saying it was breaking relations altogether, though it apparently left its own ambassador in Israel.

"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 Qatar-based television network Al-Jazeera. "We're proud that the state of Israel that exists today, led by these criminals, made this decision."

The comments were posted on his ministry's Web site.

Maduro also rejected accusations of anti-Semitism by Venezuelan Jewish community leader Abraham Levy.

"All of the Muslim, Jewish and Christian communities know religious discrimination is not a problem that has or will have a place in our society," Maduro said, complaining that every time a country criticizes Israel's government, it is automatically added to the list of anti-Semites.

Hundreds of demonstrators supported President Hugo Chavez's decision to expel Israeli ambassador Shlomo, spraying graffiti and hurling shoes at Israel's embassy in Venezuela. Some people also spray-painted swastikas on the walls of a Caracas synagogue.

"Where we live, the anti-Semitism is sanctioned," Levy told the world Jewish Congress in Jerusalem on Monday. "It comes from the president, through the government, and into the media."

Israel's offensive was aimed at halting rocket attacks on southern Israel. More than 1,200 Palestinians, many of them civilians, were killed in the fighting.

Relations between Israel and Venezuela were already tense because of Chavez's friendly relations with Iran, which backs Hamas and has called for Israel's destruction.

Maduro also dismissed accusations that Venezuela itself supports militant groups Hamas and Hezbollah.