Jerusalem  - Israel's decision to respond to the expulsion of the Israeli ambassador to Caracas by expelling Venezuelan diplomats was made against the advice of top Foreign Ministry officials, the Jerusalem Post daily reported Thursday.

Israel ordered the Venezuelan embassy closed on Wednesday.

Citing unnamed "government sources," the Post said that while Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni thought Israel's national honour necessitated expelling the Venezuelan diplomats, key ministry officials were concerned about breaking all ties with Caracas and the impact it would have on the 13,000 Jews living in the South American country.

In the end the "national honour" argument won, in part because Israel is in the midst of an election campaign, with Livni competing for the premiership at the helm of the centrist Kadima party.

Venezuela expelled the Israeli ambassador to Caracas on January 6, and then on January 14 declared a total cut-off in ties, to protest Israel's military offensive in the Gaza Strip.

But the three-person Venezuelan embassy in Tel Aviv remained open until ordered shut Wednesday, with the diplomats given 72 hours to leave.

Venezuela has not had an ambassador in Israel for years and the country has been represented in Israel by a charge d'affaires.

Israel's interests in Venezuela will be represented by the Canadian embassy. It is not yet known who will represent Venezuela in Israel. (dpa)