Opinion: Chile elections: Far right candidate may break with historic support for Palestine

The second round of the Chilean presidential elections due to take place on 15 December may become highly significant for Palestine.

The two candidates, Jose Antonio Kast, who represents a far-right political party, and Jeanette Jara, representing a centre-left coalition - both hold opposing visions of how Chile’s foreign policy should be conducted.

Around 16 million eligible voters will decide over the two options mainly based on security, immigration and economic matters.

Home to the largest Palestinian community outside the Arab world, estimated at around 500,000 people in 2023, Chile may soon join the group of far-right leaders such as Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban, Argentina’s Israel-loving President Javier Milei, and Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who consistently oppose Palestinian rights and undermine international agreements and the principles of the UN Charter.

On 19 November, the UN General Assembly voted on the extension of Unrwa’s mandate. Only ten states voted against the extension, including Argentina, Hungary, Paraguay, the United States, and Israel - countries governed by members of the same ideological camp as the far-right Chilean presidential candidate.

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