Other strong US allies, like
Peru and
Chile, both issued harsh words of protest, with the former "condemning" the "violent intervention" and the latter "deploring" the "violent reaction of the Israeli forces."
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez -- never one to mince his words -- "energetically" condemned the "brutal massacre committed by the State of Israel". And, in addendum, Chavez
tweeted: "Wow, what a terrible massacre that Israel has again committed! Where is the UN? Where is the International Criminal Court?"
Other left-of-center governments, like
Argentina,
Ecuador,
Bolivia,
Paraguay and
Uruguay also issued strong "condemnations" though in a somewhat softer tone than their Venezuelan neighbor. On June 3rd, Ecuador
announced that it would withdraw its ambassador in Jersualem for "consultations".
Although in the past the Brazilian government has rarely engaged in strong criticism of Israel, in this case it has issued a scathing
statement that "vehemently condemns the Israeli action, since there is no justification for a military intervention against a peaceful convoy of a strictly humanitarian nature." The foreign ministry release goes on to state that Israel's action "is further aggravated by having taken place, according to available information, in international waters" and calls for an "independent investigation" and the immediate lifting of the Gaza embargo.