The Palestinian Federation of Chile threatened the Chilean Jewish community following Israel’s denial of entry to Anuar Majluf, a prominent anti-Israel activist.
The Palestinian Federation of Chile (PFC) threatened the Chilean Jewish community on Monday and warned them not to “play with fire” following Israel’s denial of entry to Anuar Majluf, PFC’s executive director and a prominent anti-Israel activist.
Majluf works to undermine economic relations between Israel and Chile. He was purportedly attempting to visit Israel to lead an Easter pilgrimage.
“The Chilean government should act reciprocally and refuse entry to Israeli citizens who come as tourists to Chile,” Majluf said after he was denied entry.
Israel’s move falls in line with the Israeli Knesset’s recent approval of a bill forbidding anti-Israel activists and supporters of boycotts on the Jewish state from entering the country.
“Anuar Majluf is a major boycott activist whose organization is trying to significantly harm the state of Israel, and his attempt to enter the country is intended for this purpose,” Israeli Minister of Strategic Affairs Gilad Erdan said.
The Chilean Foreign Ministry criticized Israel’s barring of Majluf, while Chile’s Jewish community umbrella body defended the move and said it was “surprised” by the Chilean government’s response.
A Jewish community letter to Chilean Foreign Minister Heraldo Muñoz Valenzuela stated that the “political interests of certain parties” should not harm the country’s Jewish population, while noting that Majluf “promotes hatred” and justifies “attacks by the Hamas terrorist organization against the Israeli civilian population.”
Approximately 10,000 Jews live in Chile, which is also home to more than 400,000 Palestinians, the largest Palestinian community outside of the Middle East.
In July 2015, PLO Ambassador to Chile Imad Nabil Jada’a came under fire after he stated that there is no Jewish people and that the PLO would never recognize the Jews as such. He cited anti-Semitic writings to validate his statements.
Chile in general has adopted an anti-Israel stance at international forums.
By: JNS.org and United with Israel Staff
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