In response to the Gaza crisis, leftist Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador on Tuesday declined to sever diplomatic ties with Israel and urged world leaders to seek a diplomatic resolution.

With Colombia, Chile, and Honduras recalling their ambassadors to Israel over the latter’s attacks on Gaza, Lopez Obrador has carved out a more centrist niche for himself than some other leftists in Latin America. Bolivia severed all diplomatic relations.

Asked for his view on the latest developments in Gaza at a regular press conference, Lopez Obrador reiterated that Mexico wanted to remain neutral, and called for more international efforts to put an end to the violence in the region.

“We – and I want to be very clear when I say this – are not going to break relations with Israel, or take a position beyond calling for peace,” Lopez Obrador said.

“Everything that is happening is very sad, very painful, very inhumane,” he added. “Irrationality is what is predominating. Of course I am for peace and for a ceasefire.”

Mexico’s government condemned the attacks by Hamas against Israel on Oct. 7, but has also urged Israel to avoid civilian casualties in Gaza and is pressing for a two-state solution.

Mexican diplomat Alicia Buenrostro, speaking last week at a U.N. emergency special session on Gaza, called for Israel to end the occupation of Palestinian territories.