Latin America’s Shift on Israel: A Calculated Realignment

In recent years, Latin American politics have been marked by intriguing realignments reflecting shifting global landscapes and evolving regional priorities. One underreported trend is the growing rapprochement between the region’s authoritarian right and Israel.

At first glance, this development seems counterintuitive. For decades, many Latin American countries have criticized Israeli policy in Palestine, some even breaking off diplomatic relations with Tel Aviv over its treatment of Palestinians. However, as right-wing governments – led by figures like Colombia’s Abelardo de la Espriella and Argentina’s Javier Milei – consolidate power, they are increasingly turning to Israel as a strategic partner.

This shift reflects a multifaceted calculus. Some argue that it stems from a desire among Latin America’s authoritarians to align themselves with the United States under Donald Trump’s presidency, and by extension, with Israel. This “Judeo-Christian” Western axis is seen as a bulwark against what these governments perceive as growing radical leftism in the region.

The Strategic Imperative

Israel has long sought to expand its diplomatic reach in Latin America, viewing the region as crucial for legitimacy and cooperation on the world stage. With many countries in the Western Hemisphere increasingly critical of Israeli policy, Tel Aviv has turned to authoritarian regimes that share its ideological and strategic outlook.

This alignment is contentious. Many have expressed concern about the implications of Latin America’s rapprochement with Israel, particularly given the region’s history of solidarity with the Palestinian people. The decision by Colombia’s de la Espriella to relocate the country’s embassy to Jerusalem has been met with widespread criticism from human rights groups and opposition parties.

Brazil and Mexico’s Divergent Approaches

Not all Latin American governments are embracing closer ties with Israel, however. Brazil, under President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, has maintained a critical stance toward Israeli actions in the Gaza Strip and occupied West Bank. Meanwhile, Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum has sought to preserve diplomatic balance in her country’s relations with Tel Aviv.

This divergence highlights the complex dynamics at play in Latin America’s shift on Israel. While some governments may be eager to curry favor with Washington and Tel Aviv, others remain committed to a more nuanced approach, balancing ideological sympathies with humanitarian concerns.

The Regional Consequences

The implications of Latin America’s rapprochement with Israel are far-reaching, extending beyond geopolitics to issues of identity, ideology, and human rights. As these governments increasingly align themselves with Tel Aviv, they risk exacerbating regional tensions and alienating long-standing allies.

Latin America’s growing ties with Israel reflect a complex calculus of strategic interests, ideological affinities, and regional rivalries. This shift may offer short-term gains for both parties, but it also poses significant risks for the region as a whole – risks that must be carefully weighed by policymakers and citizens in the months and years to come.