Israel congratulates Chile’s President-elect Kast, pro-Israel son of Nazi-era German soldier

Israeli officials congratulated Chile’s staunchly conservative President-elect Jose Antonio Kast (59) after he decisively defeated his communist rival Jeanette Jara, 58% to 42% on Sunday.

Kast is expected to revive the Chile-Israel relations after the left-wing government of current President Gabriel Boric recalled its ambassador over Israel’s response to Hamas’ Oct. 7 massacre and urged the International Criminal Court to investigate Israel's alleged “war crimes”.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar was among the first diplomats to call Kast, congratulating him on his “impressive election victory” and inviting him to visit Israel.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, "Israel looks forward to working closely with you and Chile to deepen cooperation in security, innovation, water, agriculture and economic growth to strengthen the partnership between our two democracies."

Congratulations President-elect @joseantoniokast on your victory.
Israel looks forward to working closely with you and Chile to deepen cooperation in security, innovation, water, agriculture and economic growth to strengthen the partnership between our two democracies. 🇮🇱🇨🇱

— Benjamin Netanyahu - בנימין נתניהו (@netanyahu) December 16, 2025

Sa’ar’s office stated, “Since Chile recognized Israel in 1949, the two countries have enjoyed relations that included cooperation in many fields. In recent years, under the rule of the left-wing party and President Boric, relations between Chile and Israel deteriorated to a low point, deepening against the backdrop of the war.”

The foreign minister stressed that Israel-Chile relations “should not be held hostage to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict” and noted Israel expects the return of Chile’s ambassador to Israel. He also said that relations between the countries could benefit both, stressing that Israel has “much to offer, including in the fields of security, technology, water, and more.”

Kast’s victory follows a string of victories by right-wing candidates who are friendly to Israel across South America, including Argentina, Ecuador, Bolivia and others.

The devout Catholic and father of nine has been widely described as “far-right,” “reactionary,” or even “fascist,” due to his conservative policies, support for former Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet, and his family background.

Kast’s German father fled to Chile after the Second World War. He had been a member of the Hitler Youth and the Nazi Party and then served as an officer in the Wehrmacht, the regular military.

Kast has rejected claims that his father personally held Nazi sympathies, arguing, “When there is a war and enlistment is mandatory, a 17 or 18 year old doesn’t have the option to say, ‘I’m not going,’ because they will be court-martialed and shot to death the very next day.”

The president-elect has also faced scrutiny over his expressions of support and family ties to dictator Pinochet, under whom his elder brother Miguel Kast served as Central Bank director and minister.

As a devout Catholic, Kast opposes abortion, even in cases of rape, and rejects euthanasia and same-sex marriage.

However, his main focus lies on a free market policy and hardline positions against immigration and crime.

More relevantly for Israel, Kast has campaigned on rectifying the anti-Israel foreign policy of Boric and his rival, Jara.

When Boric’s government barred Israel from the International Air and Space Fair FIDAE in March 2024, Kast said Boric was “once again displaying his antisemitism” through the “irresponsible and ideological” decision.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio also congratulated Kast, who has often praised President Trump, saying he is “confident Chile will advance shared priorities” like public security, ending illegal immigration, and revitalizing the commercial relationship.

Israel’s ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon, said he is “confident that this new chapter will strengthen relations between our nations and will bolster cooperation between our people. This result reflects the Chilean people’s clear desire for change and for a transformed South America.”

Warm congratulations to José @joseantoniokast on a decisive victory in Chile 🇨🇱

This election marks a clear turning point. Chile has chosen responsibility, freedom, and democratic stability over ideological extremism.

I am confident that a Kast administration will bring a… pic.twitter.com/lrOYTTvRk1

— עמיחי שיקלי - Amichai Chikli (@AmichaiChikli) December 15, 2025

Diaspora Minister Amichai Chikli, who has been working to strengthen Israel’s ties with right-wing parties across the world, including those seen as controversial, shared a picture of himself handing a hostage necklace to Kast.

“This election marks a clear turning point. Chile has chosen responsibility, freedom, and democratic stability over ideological extremism,” wrote Chikli.

“I am confident that a Kast administration will bring a welcome and necessary change, and will strengthen the important and longstanding relationship between Chile and Israel.”