In a development that has sparked significant backlash, Israel’s participation in the 2026 International Air and Space Fair (FIDAE) in Chile has triggered widespread anger within the Palestinian community in the country. The event, which takes place every two years, marks Israel’s return to the exhibition after a two-year ban imposed by the previous Chilean administration.

The return of Israeli companies to the prestigious aerospace and defence expo has reignited debates about Chile’s foreign policy, human rights, and its historical stance on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The return of Israeli companies to the prestigious aerospace and defence expo has reignited debates about Chile’s foreign policy, human rights, and its historical stance on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

This year’s FIDAE, which took place in Santiago, featured participation from over 440 companies and 35 countries, making it one of the largest gatherings of aerospace and defence professionals in Latin America.  Notably, the exhibition showcased a range of advanced aerospace systems, including the F-35A Lightning II fighter jet from the United States and the Airbus A400M transport aircraft, as well as cutting-edge satellite technologies from companies like ICEYE.

However, for many in the Palestinian community, the focus is not just on the innovative technologies on display but also on the political implications of Israel’s return to such a prominent global stage.

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Embajada de Israel en Chile (@israel_in_chile)

A post shared by Embajada de Israel en Chile (@israel_in_chile)

Israel’s absence from the 2024 FIDAE was a direct result of the decision made under President Gabriel Boric’s government. Following Israel’s military offensive in Gaza in 2023, which escalated tensions in the region, Boric’s administration vetoed Israeli participation at the fair, aligning with his government’s broader human rights stance.

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However, with the shift in power following the election of José Antonio Kast, Israel has been allowed to return to the 2026 FIDAE. Despite the absence of an official state delegation, Israeli defence companies have resumed participation, albeit with a lower profile. According to sources from the event’s organisation, Israeli companies have confirmed their presence, marking a partial return for Israel to the Chilean aerospace landscape.

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Comunidad Palestina de Chile (@comunidadpalestinadechile)

A post shared by Comunidad Palestina de Chile (@comunidadpalestinadechile)

This return has been met with fierce criticism from the Palestinian community in Chile, which has expressed its outrage over the decision.

Palestinian activists and groups have described Israel’s participation in FIDAE as a “moral offence” and have accused the Chilean government of betraying its historical commitment to supporting Palestinian rights.

Palestinian activists and groups have described Israel’s participation in FIDAE as a “moral offence” and have accused the Chilean government of betraying its historical commitment to supporting Palestinian rights.

The Palestinian community has long been an influential group in Chile, and they see this as a setback in the ongoing struggle for justice in Palestine.

Through a public statement, the Palestinian Community of Chile condemned the participation of the company Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) in the International Air and Space Fair (Fidae) 2026, pointing directly at the administration of José Antonio Kast.

“This is not a technical or commercial decision. It is a serious political decision that directly compromises Chile’s best interests, its diplomatic tradition, and its position in the international system,” the statement said.

Maurice Khamis, president of the Palestinian Community, cited Chile’s foreign policy record, “founded on international law, human rights, and international humanitarian law.” According to the group, this same principle was reflected in the exclusion of Russia from the 2022 edition of the event (during Sebastián Piñera’s administration) due to its military aggression against Ukraine for violations of international law. This same argument was invoked during Gabriel Boric’s administration to veto the participation of Israeli companies.

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“What is happening today breaks, for the first time, with that line of state policy. Russia remains excluded, but Israel is allowed to participate, despite equally serious precedents, established by international bodies, regarding the commission of war crimes, crimes against humanity, and acts of genocide. Chile is thus ceasing to act on the basis of principles and is now operating with selective criteria, weakening its international credibility,” they warned.

The community also expressed its particular rejection of the company in question, arguing that it is linked to the development and provision of systems used in military operations in the Gaza Strip, as well as its involvement in the genocide of the Rohingya people in Myanmar. “This is not an isolated incident, but rather a pattern of IAI’s conduct in committing war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide,” the community asserts.

Given the above, they called on the Government “to rectify this decision and on civil society, political parties and all relevant actors in the country not to remain indifferent to a measure that compromises the best interests of Chile, weakens its international credibility, breaks with its diplomatic tradition and strains internal coexistence.”

“Persisting on this path takes us away from an international order based on rules and brings us closer to a logic where relations between states are governed by force,” he concluded.

The views expressed in this article belong to the author and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of Middle East Monitor.

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