Kast Announces Return of Chile’s Ambassador to Israel Within Weeks

Context In October 2023, Chile recalled its ambassador from Israel as a protest against alleged violations of international humanitarian law during the Gaza conflict. The recall was part of a broader diplomatic downgrade that also saw the removal of military and embassy staff. Since then, Chile’s relationship with Israel has remained strained.

Key Facts During the inauguration of Costa Rica’s President Laura Fernández Delgado, Israeli President Isaac Herzog met Chilean President José Antonio Kast. Herzog said the discussion would benefit both nations. Kast told Herzog he intends to restore Chile’s ambassador to Israel within a few weeks, a move that would reverse the October recall. He emphasized that his administration will focus on bilateral ties rather than the “Palestinian issue,” while also tackling terrorism and antisemitism at home. The two leaders explored cooperation in agriculture, health, artificial intelligence and technology, aiming to bring relations back to their pre‑2023 level.

What It Means Re‑establishing the ambassador signals Chile’s willingness to re‑engage with Israel on trade, security and innovation. The shift may open channels for joint projects in high‑tech sectors and could influence Chile’s stance in multilateral forums on Middle‑East issues. Other Latin American leaders, such as Honduras’ President Nasry Asfura, have voiced similar intentions to normalize ties with Israel, suggesting a regional trend toward diplomatic restoration.

Watch for the formal appointment of the new ambassador and any subsequent agreements on agriculture or technology that could reshape Chile‑Israel cooperation.