Mauritania calls on Israel to stop Gaza 'bloodbath'

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
The government of Mauritania, one of the only Arab League nations to have diplomatic ties with Israel, called on Israel to stop the "bloodbath" in Gaza, and thousands of protesters took to the streets Sunday. Mauritania is one of only three Arab League nations to allow an Israeli Embassy on its soil, an acknowledgment of Israel that many Mauritanians have taken exception to. Last month, gunmen affiliated with al-Qaida opened fire on the embassy here, injuring three people. In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it was "extremely concerned" by Israel's successive raids in Gaza, calling it "a collective punishment for the Palestinian people." Mauritania, the statement said, is calling on Israel as well as the international community "to stop the bloodbath" in Gaza.