Chile has recently aligned itself with a coalition of nations backing a genocide case against Israel that was initiated at the International Court of Justice last year. President Gabriel Boric expressed deep concern over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, particularly the impact on women and children, during a speech to lawmakers on Saturday. He criticized the Israeli army for employing what he described as 'indiscriminate and disproportional' force in the region.
President Boric emphasized the need for a resolute and enduring response from the global community in light of these egregious acts. The move by Chile to support the genocide case comes after South Africa lodged a similar accusation against Israel at the International Court of Justice in The Hague, Netherlands, citing violations of the Genocide Convention.
Israel has vehemently denied the allegations, contending that its military actions in Gaza are a legitimate defense against Hamas militants following an attack on southern Israel on October 7 that resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 individuals and the taking of 250 hostages.
Chile, which is home to a sizable Palestinian community of around 500,000 individuals, many of whom are descendants of Christian Arab immigrants from the 19th and 20th centuries, has historically maintained close ties with the Palestinian cause. The Palestinian community in Chile, initially engaged in small-scale retail trade, has since made significant strides in the realms of business and politics. Notably, one of the country's beloved soccer teams, Palestino, dons uniforms that bear the colors of the Palestinian flag.
Chile's decision to support the genocide case aligns it with a coalition primarily composed of developing nations such as Mexico, Brazil, and Indonesia, which have rallied behind South Africa's legal petition. President Boric, a former leftist student leader, has adopted a nuanced stance, condemning Hamas' attack while fiercely criticizing Israel's military offensive in Gaza, which, according to Gaza's Health Ministry, has resulted in the deaths of over 35,000 Palestinians, with no distinction made between civilians and combatants in the official count.
