Boric Faces Backlash Over Meeting with Israeli President Herzog

The recent meeting between Chilean President Gabriel Boric and Israeli President Isaac Herzog during the inauguration of Costa Rica's new president has ignited a firestorm of criticism from across the political spectrum in Chile. Deputies from both the opposition and Boric's own governing coalition have voiced strong disapproval, decrying the encounter as a significant departure from Chile's long-standing foreign policy principles.

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It is an act of diplomacy that is not innocent at all and a disgrace for Chile, in addition to a lack of respect and empathy for more than half a million Chileans of Palestinian origin.

Adding their voices to the chorus of concern is the Palestinian Community in Chile, a substantial diaspora group. They have characterized the meeting as a "rupture with the historic doctrine of foreign relations of the country." Their statement highlights a deep-seated worry that Boric's engagement with Herzog lends legitimacy to Israeli actions currently under review by the International Court of Justice for alleged genocide. This perspective underscores the strong emotional and political ties many Chileans of Palestinian descent feel towards the ongoing conflict.

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It is a strategic error contrary to the interests of our country, which has historically defended respect for international law and human rights. Chile gains nothing by whitewashing those who have justified the destruction of Gaza; on the contrary, it loses moral authority and coherence.

Critics, including Maurice Khamis, president of the Palestinian Community in Chile, have labeled the meeting "an act of diplomacy that is not innocent at all and a disgrace for Chile." They argue that such a gesture demonstrates a lack of empathy and respect for over half a million Chileans of Palestinian origin. Furthermore, they contend that it represents a "strategic error contrary to the interests of our country," which has historically championed international law and human rights. The perceived inconsistency of engaging with Israeli leadership while Chile advocates for human rights globally is a central point of contention.

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Chile must act with prudence. A meeting of this nature, in the midst of a process open before international justice and an evident humanitarian tragedy in Gaza, requires a serious political explanation from the Government.

From a Chilean perspective, this incident is particularly sensitive. Chile has historically maintained a principled stance on international law and human rights, often positioning itself as a defender of the oppressed. The meeting with Herzog, especially in the context of the ongoing conflict in Gaza and the ICJ proceedings, is seen by many as a betrayal of these core values. The government's actions are being scrutinized for coherence, particularly concerning its commitment to defending the rights of its own citizens, including a Chilean national recently detained while attempting to break the Gaza blockade. This situation forces a difficult conversation within Chile about its role on the international stage and the potential damage to its moral authority.

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One cannot speak of human rights and, at the same time, normalize political ties with genocidal authorities who have justified...