Chile’s incoming president, José Antonio Kast, has nominated Gabriel Zaliasnik as the country’s next ambassador to Israel, signaling a significant shift in Santiago’s foreign policy, according to a report published by Ex-Ante on March 1, 2026.
The appointment of Zaliasnik, an influential lawyer of Jewish origin, underscores Kast’s intention to move away from the often-contentious relationship with Israel that characterized the administration of outgoing President Gabriel Boric. Sources close to Kast’s team confirmed the decision to Ex-Ante.
This change in diplomatic direction is further emphasized by the planned visit of Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar to Chile for the inauguration, marking the first such visit from an Israeli foreign minister since 1994.
During his campaign, Kast pledged to “rectify the errors committed by Boric,” which he characterized as “capricious” and “tantrums.” The incoming administration has reportedly been critical of Boric’s perceived hostility towards Israel, a stance that predated the October 2024 Hamas attack on Israel and the subsequent military response in Gaza and the ensuing international scrutiny of human rights concerns.
A particularly notable incident occurred in 2023 when Boric declined to accept the credentials of Israeli Ambassador Gil Artzyeli. Kast’s commitment to normalizing relations with Tel Aviv aims to restore historical ties with Israel, which is considered strategically crucial to Chile in areas such as defense, technology, and economic cooperation.
However, the prospective appointment has drawn strong condemnation from the Palestinian community in Chile. In a statement released on February 28, 2026, the Comunidad Palestina de Chile labeled the potential designation of Zaliasnik as “politically provocative, legally incoherent and morally unacceptable.”
The Palestinian community’s opposition stems from Zaliasnik’s previous statements referring to Judea and Samaria (the West Bank) as not being foreign territories. This is interpreted as an endorsement of Israel’s annexationist policies, contradicting a 2024 ruling by the International Court of Justice that deemed Israel’s occupation of those areas illegal and called for its cessation. The organization argues that Zaliasnik’s position undermines international law and jeopardizes the pursuit of a just resolution to the conflict.
Zaliasnik’s strong support for Israel is also evidenced by a public falling out with Chilean Senator Iván Moreira in November 2023. Zaliasnik publicly ended a long-standing friendship with Moreira due to the senator’s criticism of Israel, stating, “It hurts to have been your lawyer and your friend.” Moreira, in turn, accused Zaliasnik’s Israeli ambassador of bringing the war to Chile.
As of March 1, 2026, the Chilean government has not formally announced Zaliasnik’s appointment, and the Palestinian community has vowed to continue its protests.
