Deportation of Chilean Citizen Sparks Clash Between Israeli and Palestinian Embassies

The case of José Khamis Thomas, a Chilean citizen of Palestinian descent, has sparked a diplomatic confrontation between the Israeli and Palestinian embassies in Chile. Khamis recounts a harrowing experience at Ben Gurión International Airport in Tel Aviv, where he was detained for over a day and ultimately deported, despite possessing a valid electronic visa.

Khamis described how, after initially receiving electronic authorization for a three-month stay, his experience took a negative turn at the in-person immigration control. He felt his Palestinian origin was prioritized over his Chilean nationality. The questioning escalated from standard procedures to detailed inquiries about his past travels to various Middle Eastern and North African countries, including Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt, Tunisia, and Morocco. He was pressed to recall specific cities visited over 15 years prior.

The interrogation then shifted to political matters. Khamis was asked about his views on the October 7th events, his opinions on who was responsible, and his knowledge of Hamas. He stated that Chilean embassy officials in Israel visited him but informed him they could not intervene to facilitate his entry.

The Palestinian embassy in Chile expressed "deep concern," labeling the incident as part of a "systematic practice" affecting Chilean citizens of Arab, and particularly Palestinian, origin. The embassy highlighted that the State of Palestine, recognized by Chile, does not control its borders due to the Israeli occupation. They argue that individuals wishing to visit Palestine must pass through Israeli-controlled checkpoints, creating a deterrent effect for many Palestinian-Chileans wanting to visit their homeland.