Israel and Chile reset ties as envoy recalls shift stance

What's happened

Chile has moved to restore ties with Israel after recalling its ambassador amid criticism of Israel’s actions in Gaza. The talks with President Herzog highlight a new drive for cooperation across agriculture, health, AI, and security, signaling a reorientation of bilateral relations under Chile’s new administration. The Times of Israel notes Kast’s government is pursuing closer engagement despite domestic scrutiny.

What's behind the headline?

Analysis

The pivot suggests a recalibration of Latin American policy toward Israel, likely influenced by security, economic, and technology interests.
The new Chilean leadership is signaling a willingness to engage across sectors, potentially edging back from earlier anti-Israel moves.
This shift could affect regional blocs and Israel’s diplomacy in Latin America, particularly given Chile’s large Palestinian diaspora and historically critical stance.

What to watch

Whether Chile formalizes a new bilateral framework and how it handles domestic criticism.
How Israel responds in policy and trade harmonization efforts.
Any broader Latin American realignments as other governments reassess posture toward Israel.

How we got here

Chile had previously recalled its ambassador following Israel’s war with Hamas and had joined calls for ICC investigations in 2025. Kast’s 2026 election win has brought a rightward tilt; his government has signaled openness to re-engage with Israel, including cooperation in several sectors and reconsidering past positions on various issues.

Our analysis

The Times of Israel, The Guardian

Go deeper

Will Chile expand cooperation with Israel beyond agriculture and technology?
How will domestic politics in Chile shape this renewed engagement?
What signals will Israel send to other Latin American nations?