Palestinian Community Condemns Israeli Ambassador’s Interference as Disrespectful to Sovereignty

Original article: “Falta de respeto a nuestra soberanía”: Comunidad Palestina acusa injerencia del embajador de Israel y exige acción de Cancillería

Labeling it a «disrespect to our sovereignty,» the Palestinian Community of Chile accused the Israeli ambassador, Peleg Lewi, of «repeated interference» and called on the Foreign Ministry to take action to end this behavior.

In a public statement, the organization expressed concern that the Tel Aviv representative in Santiago «uses his diplomatic position to publicly question decisions and activities of a Chilean institution, specifically the Municipality of Viña del Mar this time.»

This pronouncement came after Lewi criticized and expressed his «concern» in a social media post regarding the municipality’s use of «funds from all neighbors» to promote an exhibition by Palestinian photojournalist Belal Khaled titled «Anatomy of a Genocide,» sparking new controversy over his criticisms and interference regarding Chilean institutions’ decisions.

Repeated Criticisms from Lewi Tension the Principle of Non-Interference

The Palestinian Community of Chile reminded that municipalities are autonomous public law corporations and their decisions must be made in accordance with national legislation and «respond to their communities and the competent bodies of our country, not to representatives of foreign governments.»

In this regard, they stated that, while an ambassador can represent his country’s official position, his repeated public criticisms of Chilean authorities, institutions, and organizations exceed the framework of legitimate diplomatic differences and strain the principle of non-interference enshrined in Article 41 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.

«This ongoing interference in the decisions of Chilean institutions is not only inappropriate; it constitutes a disrespect to our national sovereignty. Chile is a sovereign state, and its authorities and institutions make their decisions in accordance with our legal framework and toward the Chilean citizenry, not under pressure or demands from representatives of foreign governments,» they stated in their declaration.

The organization clarified that the issue is not to hinder debate or disregard political differences but to demand the same respect that Chile grants to all foreign representations: «respect for our sovereignty, our institutions, the autonomy of our authorities, and decisions that correspond exclusively to Chilean society.»

«Foreign Ministry Must End This Ongoing Behavior«

In light of this situation, members of the Palestinian Community of Chile requested the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to address the issue and to carry out, «with the necessary firmness, the diplomatic efforts aimed at ending this ongoing behavior,» arguing that «no diplomatic representation is above the principle of non-interference nor can it seek to intervene in matters that should be resolved sovereignly by our country.»

To conclude, they reaffirmed that relations between states must be built through institutional dialogue, mutual respect, and adherence to international law, not through public pressure on national institutions.

«Chile sovereignly defines its policies, cultural activities, and institutional decisions. Our national sovereignty must be respected by all diplomatic representatives accredited in the country,» they asserted.

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