Venezuela’s Foreign Minister Yvan Gil says the international community needs to punish Israel for committing genocide against the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.

Gil made the remarks at a press conference on the sidelines of the 55th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva, Switzerland, on Tuesday, according to Press TV. 

“Venezuela has a clear position. This is a massacre by Israel. We at the United Nations had a very critical position in this regard, that this situation must be stopped,” the Venezuelan foreign minister said.

“It is important that the international community take steps to punish the aggressor and perpetrator of genocide.”

Gil said despite efforts made by the UNHRC, the world body has failed to stop the killing of Palestinian civilians by the regime, and that there was an “evident” crisis in the international system of the United Nations in Palestine.

The foreign minister said Venezuela supports trial of Israel for its crimes.

 “Israel is the aggressor. They also did not hesitate to threaten the Palestinians with atomic bombs. It is not permissible to pass this matter. We must be active and condemn Israel.”