Israel has responded to the remarks of Colombian President Gustavo Petro, describing him as “anti-Semitic and hateful,” saying his stance amounted to handing a reward to Hamas, AFP reports.

“The Colombian president has promised to reward Hamas murderers and rapists — and today he delivered,” Foreign Minister Israel Katz said on X.

“History will remember that Gustavo Petro decided to stand by the most despicable monsters humanity has known, who burned babies, murdered children, raped women and kidnapped innocent civilians,” Katz added.