The President of Chile Injects His Antisemitism into Nation’s Foreign Policy

Buenos Aires, June 3

In the annual speech at the Chilean National Congress outlining to guidelines of his policies, President Boric announced that Chile is joining South Africa’s complaint against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

Boric, is the only President since democracy was restored to Chile who did not receive the Jewish Community, who ousted the Israeli Ambassador when he was due to receive his credentials, who ordered that Israeli companies be withdrawn from one of the most important security fairs, and has refused to make a single gesture of empathy with the Israeli victims of the October 7th massacre of 1200 Israelis.

Prior to becoming President, as a Chilean Congressman, he rejected a Rosh Hashana (Jewish New Year’s) gift from the Jewish Community using the occasion instead to libel Israel a genocidal state.

Chile is home to the largest Palestinian community outside the Middle East, whose leaders since 2014 identify with Hamas’ narrative. The current  government's position seeks to increase its support from that community, putting the Jewish Community in danger.

Dr. Ariel Gelblung, Latin American Director of the Simon Wiesenthal Center (SWC), a leading Jewish Human Rights NGO, stated “official Antisemitism becomes a daily danger for the members of the Jewish Community of Chile. During this same week, at the Instituto Pedagógico, which certificates professors, there were calls to expel Jewish teachers, with libelous accusations that Zionists are defenders of Israel's “infanticide” policy, as if were Nazi Germany. Mobs gather in front of Jewish institutions, harassing attendees.”

Dr. Gelblung added: “Chile has a serious problem with terrorist groups in the southern region vandalizing properties and burning down places of worship of different faiths. How would Chileans react if, when the Government took measures to protect civilians, the world took the side of the attackers? … Some time ago the SWC urged President Boric and his administration to be cautious about Middle East policies, which he has definitely not heeded. The Wiesenthal Center will continue to expose his discriminatory policies, and denounce moves that demonize Israel and put the Jewish community at risk.”

For further information, please contact Dr. Ariel Gelblung at +54 9 11 49695365.

The Simon Wiesenthal Center is an international Jewish human rights organization that holds consultative status at the United Nations, UNESCO, the OSCE, the Council of Europe, the OAS and the Latin American Parliament (PARLATINO)