President Gabriel Boric reiterated his support for the decision to exclude Israeli companies from the International Air and Space Fair (FIDAE), scheduled for April of this year in Chile. This measure has generated some controversy in relation to national security and economic repercussions with other countries.

During a press conference in La Moneda, Boric was questioned regarding the guarantee that this action would not affect national security, as former Defense Ministers have warned, as well as regarding the possible consequences with other economies worldwide.

In response, the president recalled the decision made by former president Sebastián Piñera, who suspended the invitation to Russia to participate in FIDAE in 2022, in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Boric emphasized that decisions made based on principles can generate criticism and excuses to question or relativize them. He referenced President Ricardo Lagos, who chose not to vote in favor of the US invasion of Iraq during his term, facing similar criticism.

The president explained that the exclusion of Israeli companies from FIDAE is based on unrestricted respect for human rights, which he considers are being violated by the Israeli Army and Netanyahu’s government in Gaza. He argued that images of violence and suffering in the region support this position.

Boric concluded that the decision not to invite companies that are linked to actions criticized by the Chilean government is consistent with the country’s international policy.