Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez says his government isn't considering restoring diplomatic ties with Israel. Chavez told the pan-Arab TV station Al-Jazeera that he would only reconsider the matter if Israel's leaders stop being a "Genocidal elite subordinated to the United States."Venezuela broke off relations with Israel in January to protest its offensive in the Gaza Strip. The Venezuelan state news agency reported that Al-Jazeera asked Chavez about restoring ties and that Chavez replied: "We haven't thought about that, and nothing is seen on the horizon to re-establish relations."
Clips from the interview were shown Sunday on Venezuelan state TV as Chavez prepared to attend a summit of South American and Arab leaders in Qatar.