An Ally in the Middle East

Chapter 5 examines the relations between Pinochet’s Chile and Israel from September 1973 through September 1977, and comprises three sections. The first section focuses on the initial two years of military rule, a period during which the Junta sought to present itself as friendly toward both Jews and the Jewish state. In April 1974, the Junta appointed Samuel Gleiser as Chile’s Ambassador to Israel, becoming the first Jew in Chilean history to serve in that role. More importantly, Pinochet’s Chile abstained in the 1975 United Nations General Assembly vote equating Zionism and racism—Resolution 3379. The second section focuses on the period between October 1975 and September 1977, during which Chilean military authorities repeatedly visited Israel, forging a strong martial relationship. As the Carter administration imposed an arms embargo on Santiago, Jerusalem became Pinochet’s principal weapons supplier. The third and final section of this chapter explores the reasons behind the Pinochet regime’s pro-Israel policies. Beyond the transfer of materiel, Chile and Israel—viewed as international pariahs—served as US proxies in the Cold War, which helped solidify their ties. Additionally, Chilean officers admired their Israeli counterparts for their military successes, which further predisposed the Pinochet regime toward the Jewish state.