Chile recalls three military attachés from Israel over humanitarian concerns
Chile recalls three military attachés from Israel over humanitarian concerns
Israeli diplomatic sources say that President Boric may be preparing to sever relations
Israeli diplomatic sources say that President Boric may be preparing to sever relations
Chilean President Gabriel Boric addressing the 79th United Nations General Assembly on September 24, 2024 at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City. [Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images]
Chilean President Gabriel Boric addressing the 79th United Nations General Assembly on September 24, 2024 at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City. [Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images]
Chile has withdrawn its military, defense, and air force attachés from its embassy in Tel Aviv, citing what it called a “disproportionate and indiscriminate military operation” by Israel and worsening humanitarian conditions in the Gaza Strip.
The decision, announced Wednesday, reflects Chile’s growing condemnation of Israel’s war in Gaza and its impact on civilians. The Chilean Foreign Ministry also pointed to Israel’s “constant obstacles” to allowing humanitarian aid into the enclave.
Israel had barred aid trucks from entering Gaza for nearly three months since March 2. Shipments resumed this week under international pressure to avert a humanitarian crisis after 29 Palestinians starved to death.
According to the ministry’s website, the officials recalled from Tel Aviv include Defense and Air Force Attaché Col. Christian Stuardo Núñez, Military Attaché Col. Marcelo Elo Rodríguez, and Naval Attaché Capt. Pedro Pérez Flores.
The move comes amid as multiple Israeli diplomats informed Middle East Monitor that Chilean President Gabriel Boric may be preparing to sever diplomatic relations entirely.
Chile, home to the largest Palestinian diaspora outside the Middle East with over 500,000 people, has emerged as one of the harshest Latin American countries critical of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza.
In June 2024, Boric publicly supported South Africa’s genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
Editor in Chief Khalid Alsadek contributed to the reporting of this story.
Chile has withdrawn its military, defense, and air force attachés from its embassy in Tel Aviv, citing what it called a “disproportionate and indiscriminate military operation” by Israel and worsening humanitarian conditions in the Gaza Strip.
The decision, announced Wednesday, reflects Chile’s growing condemnation of Israel’s war in Gaza and its impact on civilians. The Chilean Foreign Ministry also pointed to Israel’s “constant obstacles” to allowing humanitarian aid into the enclave.
Israel had barred aid trucks from entering Gaza for nearly three months since March 2. Shipments resumed this week under international pressure to avert a humanitarian crisis after 29 Palestinians starved to death.
According to the ministry’s website, the officials recalled from Tel Aviv include Defense and Air Force Attaché Col. Christian Stuardo Núñez, Military Attaché Col. Marcelo Elo Rodríguez, and Naval Attaché Capt. Pedro Pérez Flores.
The move comes amid as multiple Israeli diplomats informed Middle East Monitor that Chilean President Gabriel Boric may be preparing to sever diplomatic relations entirely.
Chile, home to the largest Palestinian diaspora outside the Middle East with over 500,000 people, has emerged as one of the harshest Latin American countries critical of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza.
In June 2024, Boric publicly supported South Africa’s genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
Editor in Chief Khalid Alsadek contributed to the reporting of this story.
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