Expelled Israeli ambassador to Venezuela heads to Germany

Caracas: Israel's ambassador to Venezuela has left the country for Germany after he was expelled by the president in rejection of Israel's attacks on Gaza.

Ambassador Shlomo Cohen and some embassy personnel were told to leave the country on Friday.

The expulsion is "the most difficult moment in the more than 50-year history of relations between Venezuela and Israel," Cohen said, adding that he hopes "this will be resolved quickly and relations will improve."

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez called Cohen's expulsion a "gesture of dignity" in response to deadly Israeli air and ground strikes on Gaza.