Chile-Israel Alliance at Risk as Boric Faces Pressure
Tensions between Chile and Israel are nearing a breaking point, with potential global consequences, reports Gabriel Colodro in The Media Line. As Chilean President Gabriel Boric prepares to deliver his national address, lawmakers and security officials warn that a formal rupture in diplomatic ties with Israel could be imminent. Chile has already pulled its military attachés from Tel Aviv, citing humanitarian concerns in Gaza, but critics argue that deeper political motivations are at play.
Chilean MP Miguel Ángel Calisto told The Media Line that severing ties would isolate Chile strategically and economically, particularly as the US considers retaliatory measures such as suspending the Visa Waiver Program and imposing tariffs. Former Defense Minister Mario Desbordes echoed those concerns, calling it a reckless move that endangers national security and benefits groups like Hezbollah, which he says has an active operational presence in Chile.
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The crisis has prompted sharp rebukes from Israeli officials as well. MK Tzvi Sukkot, chairman of the Knesset’s Chile Friendship Group, called the developments one of Israel’s most urgent diplomatic challenges. He and others say anti-Israel sentiment has become entrenched within Boric’s government, a shift that could damage Chile’s ties not only with Israel but with democratic allies more broadly.
The stakes extend beyond diplomacy. Chile stands to lose access to Israeli expertise in cybersecurity, counterterrorism, and strategic infrastructure protection. Meanwhile, Argentina under President Javier Milei is moving in the opposite direction—deepening ties with Israel and boosting its defense posture.
With a controversial boycott bill back on the agenda and US officials watching closely, Chile faces a critical decision point. To understand the broader implications of the Chile-Israel split and how it could reshape regional alliances, read the full report by Gabriel Colodro at The Media Line.
