The Palestinian Community of Chile has issued a blistering condemnation over the planned participation of Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) in the 2026 International Air and Space Fair (Fidae), scheduled for April 7–12. In a detailed four-page communiqué, the organization described the decision to allow the state-owned defense contractor into the country’s premier defense exhibition as a “grave moral offense.”
The Comunidad Palestina de Chile rechaza participación de empresa israelí en Fidae 2026 on the grounds that the firm is directly involved in the development of military systems currently used in the Gaza Strip. The group, which represents a diaspora of between 500,000 and 700,000 Chileans of Palestinian origin, argues that promoting such technology on Chilean soil is “painful and unacceptable” given the ongoing humanitarian crisis.
The controversy centers on the intersection of military commerce and international law. The community contends that by welcoming IAI, Chile is ignoring provisional measures issued by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) regarding the risk of genocide in Gaza. They assert that the move not only creates internal social tension but also jeopardizes Chile’s standing with international bodies, including the International Criminal Court.
A Departure from Diplomatic Precedent
For the Palestinian community, this decision represents a sharp break from a long-standing “State line” regarding the ethics of defense exhibitions. They pointed to previous administrations that prioritized human rights over trade interests to justify their current outrage.
The communiqué highlighted two specific precedents: the exclusion of Russia from Fidae 2022 under the administration of Sebastián Piñera following the invasion of Ukraine, and subsequent restrictions placed on Israeli firms by the administration of Gabriel Boric. The group argues that while Russia remains excluded, the current openness to Israel suggests that Chile has shifted from a principled foreign policy to one based on “selective criteria.”
Maurice Khamis, president of the Palestinian Community of Chile, stated that the government is now acting according to “the ideology of the moment” rather than established state principles. He described the inclusion of IAI as a direct provocation to the hundreds of thousands of Chilean citizens of Palestinian descent who may be forced to witness the display of weaponry used against their own families in Gaza.
Global Trends and Allegations of War Crimes
The community’s objection extends beyond the current conflict in the Middle East. The communiqué alleges a “pattern of conduct” by Israel Aerospace Industries, specifically citing the company’s involvement in Myanmar during the genocide of the Rohingya people. By framing these as systemic war crimes and crimes against humanity, the organization argues that IAI should be globally marginalized.
Chile’s decision also puts it at odds with several other Western democracies. The organization noted that countries such as Spain, France, and the Netherlands have already moved to restrict the presence of Israeli defense firms at major industry events like Eurosatory or Feindef.
The stakeholders involved in this dispute reflect a deep divide between strategic defense procurement and the ethical obligations of a state that historically champions international law:
- The Palestinian Community of Chile: Seeking the immediate rectification of the invitation to prevent “social peace” from being compromised.
- Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI): A state-linked entity specializing in surveillance and armament systems.
- The Chilean Government: Facing accusations of abandoning its diplomatic tradition of neutrality and human rights advocacy.
Legal Recourse and Next Steps
The community is not limiting its response to public statements. The organization announced it is currently evaluating the activation of available legal mechanisms to challenge the presence of individuals in the country who may be linked to war crimes or crimes against humanity.
| Administration | Excluded Entity | Reasoning |
|---|---|---|
| Sebastián Piñera | Russia (2022) | Invasion of Ukraine |
| Gabriel Boric | Israeli Firms | Human rights concerns |
| Current (Kast) | None (IAI invited) | Contested policy shift |
The community has called on the government to reverse the decision to protect the “superior interest of Chile” and maintain its international credibility. They warn that failing to do so sends a “wrong political signal” that ignores the historical and human reality of one of the largest Palestinian diasporas in the world.
The next critical development will be the government’s official response to the communiqué and whether the Palestinian community files formal legal petitions to block the entry of IAI representatives ahead of the April 2026 event.
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