The Zionist Organization of America (ZOA) issued a condemnation of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez following a speech he delivered during visit to Syria in which he described Israel as “genocidal,” “anti-peace” and implementing “America’s imperialist policies.” ZOA National President Morton Klein said, “We condemn Hugo Chavez’s continuing promotion of anti-Semitic and anti-Israel incitement, something which has been largely neglected in commentary on his regime. He and his regime have given encouragement to anti-Semitic views and agitation in a country that was once unmarked by anti-Semitism, as well as proudly associating himself with Israel’s most vicious enemies like Iran and Syria.

Chavez also praised Syria as the “architects and designers of the resistance,” and in a subsequent interview dismissed Israel’s right to defend itself in its Gaza operation last December and January saying, “What was it if not genocide? ... The Israelis were looking for an excuse to exterminate the Palestinians.”