Chilean Government’s Approval of Israeli Military Company Participation in FIDAE 2026 Sparks Controversy Over Foreign Policy Shift

Original article: Gobierno autoriza participación de empresa estatal bélica israelí en FIDAE 2026 y desata cuestionamientos por giro en política exterior Israeli State Military Company at FIDAE 2026: «A Politically Contradictory Signal» Although a news leak in Ex-Ante in February mentioned the possibility of Israeli companies returning to FIDAE 2026, there was no official confirmation at that time. As of April 2nd, no Israeli company was listed on the fair’s website. However, on April 3rd, Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), an Israeli state-owned company, was announced as an exhibitor.

The initial response came from the Palestinian Community of Chile, which publicly expressed their «deepest indignation, rejection, dismay, and condemnation of the decision by President José Antonio Kast‘s government to allow the participation of the Israeli state company Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) in FIDAE 2026. » They added, «Permitting the promotion of weapons and technologies in Chile that are being used to perpetrate genocide against the Palestinian people, technologies currently marginalized and condemned by most Western democracies, at the country’s main defense fair is a serious, painful, and unacceptable moral offense. Furthermore, this decision breaks with Chile’s historical tradition, jeopardizes the country’s superior interests, weakens its global position, and serves as a direct provocation and affront to a community of over half a million Chileans.

» In the same vein, the organization called for the decision to be reversed and urged various stakeholders to mobilize: «We call on the government to rectify this decision and on civil society, political parties, and all relevant actors in the country to not remain indifferent to a measure that compromises the superior interest of Chile, diminishes its international credibility, breaks from its diplomatic tradition, and strains internal coexistence. Persisting in this direction takes us away from an international order based on rules and brings us closer to a reality where state relations are governed by force. » They also announced they are assessing legal actions in Chile and abroad.

Maurice Khamis, president of the Palestinian Community, stated: «We are not facing a technical decision. It is a political signal that Chile is sending to the world, and that signal is deeply contradictory to its diplomatic history and its commitment to international law and humanitarian law. Chile cannot become a platform for promoting technologies associated with serious violations of international law.

» He added that “bringing the arms used to commit genocide against our families in Palestine to our country is a provocation to hundreds of thousands of Chileans of Palestinian descent. ” Shift in Criteria and Departure from European Norms In 2022, President Sebastián Piñera decided to exclude Russian companies from that year’s FIDAE in response to Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and the legal questions surrounding it. This measure was adopted just days before the transition of power to Gabriel Boric, and despite rumors of a possible reversal, Russian companies—who had already paid for their stands—were ultimately barred from participation.

The Chilean government recognized that a defense fair held under its institutional auspices could not serve as a showcase for a military industry linked to serious violations of international legality, particularly humanitarian law. This decision was seen as a continuation of Chile’s principled foreign policy, evoking episodes like Ricardo Lagos’ refusal to support the Iraq war during the Free Trade Agreement negotiations with the United States. More controversial was the decision made in 2024 by Gabriel Boric’s government, which extended this same principle to Israeli companies in the context of the Gaza conflict.

While it sparked debate, it generally received broad support across the political spectrum, including public statements from the then-opposition, although it faced criticism from figures like José Antonio Kast. Meanwhile, the exclusion was replicated in that year’s Exponaval without major public repercussion. In that context, Chile was not acting in isolation: at numerous international fairs, both Russian and Israeli companies have been excluded or restricted.

In Israel’s case, even traditional allies have limited their participation. Since 2023, several significant fairs have adopted concrete measures: France banned their presence at Eurosatory 2024 and restricted participation in the Paris Air Show 2025; Spain completely excluded Israel from FEINDEF 2025; the Netherlands rejected their participation in NEDS 2025; the UK imposed restrictions at DSEI 2025; the UAE did not include Israeli companies as exhibitors at the Dubai Airshow 2023 or 2025; and Colombia implemented similar measures at Expodefensa 2025. Restrictions have not been limited to fairs.

Various Western countries have advanced in limiting military relations with Israel. Italy suspended new export licenses and strictly enforced its regulations; France conditioned licenses, particularly for offensive materials, alongside logistical restrictions; Germany partially suspended exports that could be used in Gaza and tightened its processes; the UK suspended specific licenses and enhanced its reviews; Spain halted exports and canceled contracts; the Netherlands blocked exports of military components, including parts of the F-35 program; Canada suspended new exports; Ireland pushed for legislative restrictions; Japan reviewed defense cooperation; and countries like Belgium, Norway, Denmark, Finland, and Australia adopted suspension or review measures under a precautionary approach. This context arises not only from political considerations but also legal ones.

Israel is facing a genocide case at the International Court of Justice, which has already issued provisional measures, while the International Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants against high-ranking Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Concurrently, actions against third states have opened, such as the case against Germany for potential complicity. Norms like the Fourth Geneva Convention, the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, and the Rome Statute establish clear obligations for states, including the duty not to assist.

In Europe, the application of the principle of universal jurisdiction—bolstered by precedents like the Pinochet case—has reinforced incentives to avoid ties that may imply international responsibility. IAI and Its Controversies Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) is a state-owned company and a key pillar of the Israeli military apparatus, playing a central role in the development of drones, surveillance systems, and technologies described as “combat-proven. ” United Nations reports have identified it as a significant actor in supplying capabilities used in Gaza, amid a context where the International Court of Justice determined in 2024 that Israel’s presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory is unlawful and that states have an obligation not to recognize or assist that situation.

Additionally, reports from Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International document the use of Israeli aerial weaponry in attacks affecting civilian populations, as well as warnings from UN experts about the risk of complicity for supplying companies. An independent United Nations commission also linked Israel—including IAI—to transfers of military material to Myanmar amidst war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide against the Rohingya population. In this context, the director of Amnesty International Chile, Rodrigo Bustos, stated: «It is serious that the government of José Antonio Kast has allowed the participation of Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) in FIDAE 2026.

At Amnesty International, we have urged the Chilean government and Congress to halt all military and security cooperation with Israel, prohibiting the import, export, or transit of weapons, equipment, and technologies that could have military or repressive uses. » He added, «The Chilean State must maintain its strong condemnation of the genocide and war crimes committed by the State of Israel against the Palestinian people. In this context, Israel’s return to FIDAE is a terrible signal and should be reversed.

» Reactions have also spread internationally. From the NGO Al-Haq, its executive director Shahwan Jabarin stated: «The company (IAI) is involved in genocide; anyone who engages with them becomes complicit in that crime» and warned that «this is concerning; it represents a shift in the policy of a country like Chile, which is internationally recognized as upholding international law and human rights. » He also suggested possible legal actions: «If this is realized, actions can be presented in various countries under universal jurisdiction» and added that «It is the main company responsible behind immense crimes and destruction.

Chile must activate its jurisdiction and not allow a company of this nature to go unpunished. » Political Reactions At the domestic political level, opposition and government lawmakers have expressed criticism. Notable among them is the ruling party’s Senator UDI, Sergio Gahona, who stated: «What we are witnessing with the authorization of Israel Aerospace Industries at FIDAE is not a technical decision; it is a deeply erroneous political signal.

» «Chile, under President Sebastián Piñera’s government, was able to exclude Russia for consistency with international law. That standard cannot be selective. » «There is currently a genocide case at the International Court of Justice and arrest warrants issued by the International Criminal Court against high-ranking Israeli officials.

In that context, allowing an Israeli state-linked military company to showcase weaponry in Chile not only contradicts our historical foreign policy but also exposes the country to legal risks and significant inconsistency. » «Chile cannot become a showcase for ‘combat-proven’ technologies in occupied territories. Here, there is a fundamental question: do we remain a country that acts based on principles, or do we shift to acting out of convenience?

That definition has profound consequences for our international credibility. » Opposition members also questioned the «change in decision-making matrix» in foreign policy: «What is the criterion to maintain the exclusion of Russian companies and allow an Israeli state company? Has Chile ceased to act based on principles?

» Remember that support for the Palestinian cause is quite broad politically, often rallying the most parliamentarians across both chambers and with active communities in virtually every region of the country. This decision could represent another setback for the government in a challenging installation process marked by controversies less than a month since taking office. As of now, the FIDAE website only lists IAI’s participation as an exhibitor, without an assigned location within the fair, unlike other participants.

The fair begins next Tuesday, the 7th, and if IAI’s presence is confirmed, public demonstrations or protests are highly anticipated at the event.