William Cummings

USA TODAY

Bolivian President Evo Morales declared Israel a "terrorist state," Wednesday, because of the ongoing offensive in the Gaza Strip.

Israeli citizens will now be required to obtain a visa before traveling to Bolivia. Previously, under a 1972 agreement, which Morales denounced for being "signed under a dictatorial regime," Israelis could travel freely into Bolivia without having to obtain a visa, according to La Razón.

Israel is now considered a "group 3" country, meaning visa applications must be reviewed by the National Migration Administration.

"In other words we are declaring (Israel) a terrorist state," Página Siete reported Morales as saying.

"Israel does not respect the principles or purposes of the United Nations charter nor the Universal Declaration of Human Rights," Morales said, according to Página Siete.

Morales, an admirer of the late Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez's Bolivarian socialism, broke off diplomatic relations with the Jewish state in 2009, and has renounced Israel's treatment of Palestinians "a genocide."

South America is a popular destination for young Israelis.

Other South American countries, including Brazil, Chile, Ecuador and Peru, have recalled their ambassadors from Israel in protest over the fighting in Gaza.

Contributing: The Associated Press