Israel benefiting from right-wing influence in South America

A report published in the Jerusalem Post has revealed that during the Second Annual Summit on Israel organised by the Israel Allies Foundation, lawmakers from South American and Caribbean countries signed a document supporting Israel and joining the fight against the BDS movement.

The document specifically affirms support for Israel’s colonial presence in Palestine, stating explicitly that the signatories "unequivocally declare, personally, our support for the Jewish people to live in peace, safety and security in the Land of Israel."

Furthermore, the document singles out BDS as contributing "to an anti-Semitic attitude inspired by anti-Semitism and opposition to the Jewish state" and called for the movement to be "rejected by all actors that seek peace".

The summit, which was held in Miami from March 5-7, provided an opportunity to discuss "ways of capturing emerging opportunities to improve the region’s relations with Israel." Apart from the usual Zionist propaganda that sought to distort opposition to colonialism, the summit provided insight into the political allegiances which Israel is seeking to consolidate.

Changing governments in Latin America

While countries such as Venezuela, Cuba and Bolivia have been at the helm of supporting the Palestinian cause, particularly in light of the atrocities committed against Palestinians in Gaza during aggressions such as Operation Pillar of Defence and Operation Protective Edge, they are also receptive to Israeli interests through their endorsement of the two-state narrative.

Recent political changes in Venezuela as well as Argentina may also play a role. Like the US, Israel had expressed preference for right-wing electoral victories in the Venezuelan presidential elections. Putting all criticism on domestic politics of Venezuala's socialists aside, President Nicolas Maduro continued Chavez’s legacy when Venezuela was one of the first countries to offer humanitarian aid to Palestine. 

The South American country signed bilateral agreements with the Palestinian Authority in matters such as education, health, agriculture and travel. Since the opposition garnered a majority in the National Assembly elections, Israel may stand to benefit if the trend is reversed.

Resurrecting historical colonial ties

According to Venezuelan opposition leader of the national assembly Julio Borges, "Venezuela recognised Israel's statehood in 1948. Over the last decade, unfortunately, Venezuelan support for Israel has slipped. It's critical we reverse the trend and strengthen our relationship."

Venezuela is not the only country in the region to have granted Israel recognition in 1948. Other countries have been historically supportive of Zionist colonial endeavours. Uruguay was involved in the drafting of the UN Partition Plan of 1947 and was the first country to host an Israeli embassy in the continent.

Guatemala was also instrumental in international lobbying for the establishment of the Zionist state and one of the first countries to recognise Israel mere days after the Nakba. In later years, Israel supported Guatemalan dictatorships and embarked upon military cooperation in the 1970s. From 1954 till 1984, Israel aided Guatemala in suppressing resistance movements, which led to massacring over 100,000 civilians.

Chile under Augusto Pinochet is another example of the dynamics between colonialism and right-wing dictatorship collaboration. Israel was one of the first countries to recognise Chile's military dictatorship and one of its main arms suppliers, together with Britain, France and Germany.

Compromised Support? 

It remains to be seen whether South America, which has experienced the brunt of colonial and imperialist violence, will capitulate to Israeli demands. The historic stances that characterised support for Palestine have dwindled through the years with the change in power dynamics and governments. Even Cuba, which officially declares it does not recognise Israel, has, in recent years, joined the international clamour for the two-state hypothesis, thus shifting between anti-colonial and internationally-acceptable rhetoric.

From 1954 till 1984, Israel aided Guatemala in suppressing resistance movements, which led to massacring over 100,000 civilians.

Centre-left governments, such as Brazil and Chile, have not refrained from establishing ties with Israel, particularly in military and surveillance technology. Chile's targeting of the indigenous Mapuche population in particular, renders the country complicit in human rights violations on two levels - the purchase of equipment from Israel which is perfected by prior use upon the Palestinian population is in turn used to suppress Mapuche activism for land reclamation.

In 2014, Ecuador's Rafael Correa had also lauded Israel as an example for South America to emulate. Both countries signed agreements pertaining to development and technology in Ecuador. The twist provided insight into a trend that seems to have become the norm - professing abhorrence for Israel's violence and tampering with such statements through actions which not only bolster Israel's international presence, but also undermine what little support the Palestinians receive even from countries whose policy is deemed pro-Palestine.

However, the greatest danger lies in one overlooked detail. Despite Israel's focus on BDS as an alleged obstacle to peace and its lobbying efforts to ensure the movement is halted, as evidenced by this month's summit and response from South American lawmakers, it is the two-state paradigm that constitutes the biggest danger to Palestine.

We are yet to realise to what extent has the two-state compromise and the narrative behind it benefited Israel.   Even in South American countries that support Palestine, there is no opposition to the orchestrated farce which allows Israel to exploit, plunder and murder with impunity. The question is not whether the summit will actually result in further support for Israel, but rather what can be done to eliminate the contradiction between rhetorical support and humanitarian aid for Palestine, while directly or indirectly granting further undeserved legitimacy to the internationally-approved colonial monstrosity that has lacerated Palestinian land.


Ramona Wadi is an independent researcher, freelance journalist, book reviewer and blogger specialising in the struggle for memory in Chile and Palestine, colonial violence and the manipulation of international law. Follow her on Twitter: @walzerscent

Opinions expressed in this article remain those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of The New Arab, its editorial board or staff.