CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) :

Protesters condemning Israel's offensive in the Gaza Strip sprayed graffiti and hurled shoes at the country's embassy in Venezuela yesterday, backing President Hugo Chávez's decision to expel the Israeli ambassador.

Demonstrators waved Palestinian flags and chanted "Gaza, hold on! The world is rising up!"

Journalists estimated the crowd at more than 1,000.

Smashed windows

Some threw their shoes at an outer wall, while others spray-painted 'Israel Get Out' and 'Long live a free Palestine'.

Objects hurled by protesters smashed several windows of the seven-story building that houses the embassy, along with businesses.

The protest came two days after Chávez ordered Ambassador Shlomo Cohen to leave in protest over the attacks in Gaza.

Israel says Cohen has been given until Friday to depart, and the nation is considering expelling Venezuelan diplomats in response.

More than 700 have been killed since Israel launched the offensive December 27, aiming to halt Palestinian rocket attacks into southern Israel.

The protesters included Venezuelans of Arab descent and Chávez supporters with no links to the Middle East.

"I disagree with them killing all those people," said Robert Cardenas, a 43-year-old art museum employee.

Chávez has long been critical of Israel in its conflict with the Palestinians. He accuses the Israeli government of acting as an arm of Washington.