Chile withdraws defense staff from Israel over Gaza dire situation

Chile’s decision stems from the dire humanitarian situation of the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip.

By Al Mayadeen English
May 29, 2025

Chile has withdrawn its military, defense, and air force attachés from its embassy in Tel Aviv, citing what it described as a deepening humanitarian catastrophe in the Gaza Strip caused by “Israel’s” ongoing military operations.

The decision, announced on Wednesday, marks the latest escalation in Chile-“Israel” diplomatic tensions under President Gabriel Boric’s administration.

The Chilean Foreign Ministry said the move was coordinated with the Defense Ministry and was based on “the extremely serious humanitarian situation currently experienced by the Palestinian population in the Gaza Strip.”

The ministry accused the Israeli occupation forces of carrying out a “disproportionate and indiscriminate military operation” and obstructing the delivery of humanitarian aid into the besieged territory.

According to the ministry’s website, the officials recalled include Defense and Air Force Attaché Colonel Christian Stuardo Núñez, Military Attaché Colonel Marcelo Elo Rodríguez, and Naval Attaché Captain Pedro Pérez Flores.

The decision to remove Chile’s military presence from Tel Aviv was formally communicated to Israeli authorities prior to the announcement.

This latest development adds to a string of confrontations between Boric’s government and the Israeli regime, highlighting a consistent policy divergence since the Chilean president assumed office.

Diplomatic strain under Boric intensifies

Tensions initially flared in September 2022 when Boric refused to receive Israeli Ambassador Gil Artzyeli at La Moneda Palace to accept his diplomatic credentials.

Relations deteriorated further in April 2024, when Boric barred “Israel” from attending the International Air and Space Fair (FIDAE), a move widely seen as a political sanction by Santiago.

Chile’s firm stance continued in November 2023 when it recalled its ambassador to “Israel” following the bombing of a refugee camp in Gaza.

The government also publicly declared support for South Africa’s lawsuit against “Israel” at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), accusing it of committing genocide against the Palestinian people.

Chile demands a halt to Israeli aggression

In its latest statement, the Chilean government reiterated demands that “Israel” cease its military aggression in the occupied Palestinian territory, permit unrestricted humanitarian access, and adhere to international humanitarian and legal norms.

The announcement came on the same day that at least 24 Palestinians were killed in a series of Israeli airstrikes across the Gaza Strip, marking the 600th day of the war on Gaza.

President Gabriel Boric’s Gaza stance reflects a broader push among several Latin American nations to hold “Israel” accountable for its actions in occupied Palestine, further isolating the Israeli regime on the global stage.

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