Venezuela to upgrade Palestinan ties, offers aid

“We … are on the side of the Palestinian people’s memorable struggle … against the genocidal state of Israel that knocks down, kills and aims to terminate the Palestinian people.”

Chavez ordered his education minister to circulate maps Abbas gave him to illustrate the small dimensions of the Gaza Strip, where he said 1.5 million people lived in “concentration camp” like conditions, their movements to the outside world virtually blocked by Israel.

“We (Venezuelans) should devote the entire force of our hearts and souls towards the creation of a Palestinian state,” he said. “Venezuela is Palestine; Palestine is Venezuela, we have a common struggle.”

* Venezuela to send ambassador to Palestinian Authority

* Venezuela offers medical scholarships for Palestinians

Popular Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez announced on Friday his country would open an embassy in Palestine and upgrade ties to ambassadorial level to help support Palestinians and their struggle against Israel. Reuters reported.

‘We have decided to designate an ambassador and open an embassy in Palestine,’ Chavez told reporters after a meeting with Mahmoud Abbas. ‘We now have a charge d’affaires; we will name an ambassador in coming days as part of accords to boost our bilateral relations,’ he said.

Venezuela also provided scholarship for 20 Palestinian to study medicine in Venezuela.

read more [hamsayeh.net]