What should Chile's relationship with Israel be?

The relationship with Israel is strategic. They are an important supplier of weapon systems, as they are for many countries around the world. For several years, the Chilean Armed Forces have considered the Israeli defense industry as one of their significant and relevant suppliers.

The brutal attack by Hamas has once again brought the issue of Chile’s relations with Israel to the forefront, a relationship that is not easy for the current government due to its declared and well-known pro-Palestinian stance, and its lack of understanding of what constitutes the national interest, which is a constant in the management of foreign relations, not just in relation to Jerusalem.

With the current ambassador, the situation started poorly when he was not received by the President of the Republic, when he was supposed to present his credentials. If it were not for the neutralizing actions of the Foreign Ministry, who knows where we would be.

Regardless of the styles of the individuals involved in the relationship, it should be guided by the national interests of both countries and, importantly, by the fact that there is a large and active Jewish community in Chile, which not only cares about what happens in their ancestral land but also participates in various aspects of national development, contributing, among other things, to the growth of businesses, producing prominent professionals, and engaging in philanthropy. Not treating their ambassador or the State of Israel well, I suspect, does not help the relationship with this important community, as they are not only Jews but also Chileans.

Accusing Israel of being responsible for the attack on the Anglican hospital in Gaza does not help relations between the two countries. That was a reckless and imprudent action that, like many others that later had to be retracted, contributed to unrest in several countries and in the West Bank. One can understand the irresponsibility of some media, but not that of governments, which are expected to verify facts before making statements.

If we set aside the issues related to the conflict in Gaza and ignore the existence of the significant Jewish community in Chile, what is the national interest we seek to protect in our relations with Israel? Is it foreign trade or something of a more strategic nature?

According to data from the Central Bank, foreign trade between the two countries amounts to around US$ 130 million in each direction (US$ 143 million in imports and US$ 113 million in exports in 2022). It is clear that we are not talking about Chile’s main trading partner, and it is unlikely that it will become one. Israel does not have and will not have the commercial relevance that China or other Asian countries have for us, which need and depend on the commodities we produce.

The relationship with Israel is strategic. They are an important supplier of weapon systems, as they are for many countries around the world. For several years, the Chilean Armed Forces have considered the Israeli defense industry as one of their significant and relevant suppliers. Not having a good relationship with Israel is a bad idea if the impact affects national security and our defense capabilities.

Israel is also a major hub for technological development, particularly in irrigation technologies and seawater desalination. They need to irrigate a desert, and we are becoming one, so it is very likely that they will acquire more importance than they already have for Chile’s future development.

In summary, they are not our main trading partner, but there are other important strategic aspects of national interest that make it advisable to maintain good relations with Israel, which should be managed with prudence and clarity, as this allows for the possibility of addressing differences in an appropriate environment and not negatively preset. This is compounded by the existence of a significant and relevant Jewish community in Chile, which we must respect as such and not disrespect.

Richard Kouyoudjian
Vice President AthenaLab

Source: El Mostrador