Chair Summary: 2nd 2025 Civil Society Consultations – Engagement with Latin American Civil Society & Palestinian Diaspora 

2nd 2025 Civil Society Consultations 

“Engagement with Latin American Civil Society & Palestinian Diaspora: 

A Call for Action to Ensure Recovery and Healing in Gaza
and to End Israel’s Illegal Occupation” 

Convened by the 

Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People (CEIRPP) 

Room Raúl Prebisch, Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) Headquarters, Santiago de Chile 

12 November 2025 

CHAIR SUMMARY 

The 2nd 2025 Civil Society Consultations “Engagement with Latin American Civil Society & Palestinian Diaspora: A Call for Action to Ensure Recovery and Healing in Gaza and to End Israel’s Illegal Occupation” were convened at the headquarters of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), Santiago de Chile, by the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People (CEIRPP). In the margins of the event, the Committee Delegation held bilateral meetings with with current and former Chilean parliamentarians as well as the President of the Palestinian Community in Chile, Mr. Maurice Khamis, to learn about the engagement of the Palestinian community vis-à-vis the question of Palestine and efforts in parliament, such as the proposed law banning the import of goods produced in illegal Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT). The Committee Delegation also met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, H.E. Mr. Alberto van Klaveren, and former Chilean diplomats and current international affairs practitioners at the Permanent Forum on Foreign Policy. The Delegation also held discussions with students at the Institute of International Studies (IEI) of the University of Chile, centering around the work of the Committee, the situation in Gaza and the wider OPT.  

During the event, Government authorities and representatives of civil society organizations and the Palestinian diaspora in Latin America reaffirmed their commitment to and solidarity with the Palestinian people, and called on the international community to ensure the ceasefire and the comprehensive recovery of Gaza, urging for an end to Israel’s illegal occupation of the Palestinian territory and for resolute progress to be made on implementing the two-State solution as the surest path towards peace and security in the Middle East. 

At the Opening Session, Chile Minister of Foreign Affairs, H.E. Mr. Alberto van Klaveren, stressed that it is a duty of the international community and societies to accompany the recovery and healing in Gaza with opening a path that makes it possible for the two peoples – Israelis and Palestinians – to live in peace and with equal rights. In this effort, civil society and the Palestinian community are indispensable allies, and the UN Committee for Palestinian Rights is a key partner in keeping the issue on the agenda and translating international norms into effective protection. The Foreign Minister underscored the value of the meeting between Latin American civil society and the Palestinian community, saying that “Latin America knows, from its own history, the power of human bonds to rebuild the social fabric, build bridges and cultivate a culture of peace that transcends borders. Multilateralism is the channel to transform that experience into results: better coordination of aid, protection of the civilian population and sustaining a serious political path.” 

During his speech, the Foreign Minister also reaffirmed Chile’s historical position on the Palestinian issue, which has been supported by all governments since the issue was incorporated into the United Nations agenda in 1947 and which constitutes a state policy. Chile supports the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination and an independent State, viable and contiguous, living side by side in peace and security with the State of Israel, within secure and internationally recognized borders, in accordance with the relevant resolutions. 

Delivering the remarks of UN Secretary-General António Guterres, ECLAC Executive Secretary José Manuel Salazar-Xirinachs stressed that “we now have a glimpse of hope with the ceasefire in Gaza, the release of hostages, and the scaling-up of humanitarian aid.” He commended the diplomatic efforts of Egypt, Qatar, Türkiye and the United States in brokering this desperately needed breakthrough, based on the proposal put forward by President Trump. He stressed that the High-Level International Conference for the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution, culminating in the “New York Declaration” endorsed by an overwhelming majority in the General Assembly, had been a significant development. He called on the international community to seize this momentum and to mobilize the political will and resources for tangible, irreversible steps for an end to the occupation and the achievement of the two-State solution. He welcomed the ICJ Advisory Opinion of 22 October 2025 on “Obligations of Israel in relation to the Presence and Activities of the United Nations, Other International Organizations and Third States in and in relation to the Occupied Palestinian Territory”, which reaffirmed several fundamental obligations of Israel under international law. The impact of this Opinion would be decisive to improve the tragic situation in Gaza.  

Mr. Salazar-Xirinachs concluded that the United Nations would continue to do everything possible to support a peaceful resolution of the question of Palestine including through the efforts of the United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process. He highlighted the support to the UN Palestinian Rights Committee and its mandate, including outreach to civil society partners in efforts towards realizing Palestinian self-determination and return, and to achieving the two-State solution on the basis of the pre-1967 lines. 

The Chair of the Committee and Permanent Representative of Senegal to the United Nations in New York, Ambassador Coly Seck, warned that international law continues to be ignored by Israel, impunity prevails and the credibility of the international community and international norms for conflict prevention and resolution are undermined. In the West Bank, continuing displacement, dispossession, settler violence and de facto annexation and expansion of illegal settlements, particularly in the E1 area, are seriously eroding the viability of the two-State solution. Yet, glimmers of hope have re-emerged with important Member States initiatives, chiefly among them the High-Level Conference on the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the two-State Solution, co-chaired by France and Saudi Arabia. The Committee had welcomed this political momentum for peace and endorsed the New York Declaration and celebrated the recognition of the State of Palestine by ten more Member States, including two permanent members of the Security Council.  

Ambassador Seck reiterated the need for an immediate, safe, unconditional and unhindered delivery of humanitarian assistance through all crossings and throughout Gaza and the lifting of all crossings by Israel for the resumption of power supplies, entry of fuel, medical supplies, food and water. Gaza is an integral part of a Palestinian State, and as underlined in the New York Declaration, there must be no occupation, siege, territorial reduction or forced displacement. The international community must continue to reaffirm the two-State solution as the only viable solution to ending illegal occupation and express its commitments to taking concrete measures in accordance with international law, and in line with the relevant UN resolutions and the ICJ Advisory Opinion, to help realize the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination and to counter threats of annexation and forcible displacement. He further stated that the world is watching Gaza and the whole of Palestine and that States must step up to their responsibilities. 

In her remarks, the Ambassador of Palestine in Chile, H.E. Ms. Vera Baboun, said it was no coincidence that this conference was taking place in Chile, a nation that has long championed Palestine’s right to justice, freedom, and statehood. Chile hosts the largest Palestinian community outside the Arab world, a vibrant and influential diaspora that has tirelessly advanced the Palestinian cause through political, legal, cultural, and humanitarian initiatives. Alongside it, Palestinian communities from across Latin America – including Brazil, Colombia, Bolivia, Mexico, and Peru – stand united in this gathering, embodying the strength of civil society as a force for Palestine’s justice, dignity, and independence. This includes the initiative of Chilean civil society, which has shown an extraordinary sense of moral and political responsibility by filing legal action before the International Criminal Court (ICC) against Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and other Israeli officials for crimes committed in Gaza. 

Ambassador Baboun lamented that in Gaza, humanity itself stands on the brink. What was once a living, breathing society has been reduced to ashes – its cities crushed, its hospitals silenced, its people trapped between the ruins and the siege. Amid immense suffering, the call for justice endures. In 2025, during the 79th session of the UN General Assembly, the New York Declaration was launched under French and Saudi Arabian leadership, with wide Arab and global support. That conference culminated in 10 new recognitions of Palestine, raising the total to 160 out of 193 UN Member States. She expressed her profound appreciation to the civil society organizations and the Palestinian communities in Chile and across Latin America whose voices lent moral weight and human depth to the conference. Their presence was not symbolic – it was indispensable, and  their role in the conference, pivotal. Civil society provides the accountability that sustains international law – monitoring human rights violations, supporting victims, and mobilizing global advocacy to demand justice and an end to the occupation. 

During the first plenary session “Overview of the Current Situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and International Community Obligations”, the President of the Palestinian Community of Chile, Mr. Mauricio Khamis, said that the Palestinian Community brings together more than forty Arab and Palestinian organizations across the country: social and cultural centers, charitable entities such as the Belén 2000 Foundation, the Arab Charity Union, the General Union of Palestinian Women and the Palestinian Ladies, as well as sports institutions like the Palestino Sports Club, which has proudly carried the Palestinian flag to every corner of Latin America. The Palestinian diaspora – scattered around the world, but united by memory and identity – has become an extension of Palestine, saying that “We are the voices that speak when attempts are made to silence those living under occupation.” In that regard, he explained that through their organizations, civil society, the media, universities and links with the political world, Chileans have managed to establish Palestine as a state issue, as a shared ethical and legal conviction. 

Mr. Khamis mentioned the example of civil society’s advocacy for a draft bill that prohibits the import of products from illegal Israeli settlements in the OPT. This project, supported transversally by parliamentarians from all political sectors, sets a historic precedent in the region and constitutes an act of coherence with international law. He concluded that the strength of civil society and organized communities shows that the Palestinian cause does not belong only to diplomats or foreign ministries, but to all human beings who believe in justice. 

Mr. Xavier Abu Eid, Former Communication Advisor to the PLO, described the situation in the OPT and stated that the last two years have unfortunately not demonstrated anything new as previous Israeli violations had been extensively documented and made available to the public. Discussions should not focus on re-inventing a new political process but how to end Israeli occupation of Palestine. It should not take much work to impose embargoes on products from illegal settlements but assumed by every Member State as part of their international obligations.  

Ms. Arlene Clemesha, Professor & Director of the Centre for Palestine Studies in the University of São Paolo, described the situation in the OPT as an unfolding of the rapid expansion of one nation at the expense of the native people of the land, as well as ethnic cleansing, apartheid – which all have developed into a horrific genocide perpetrated by Israel, with the complicity of each and every state that continues to engage with Israel even while the latter committed the most atrocious crimes. The 20-point plan and ceasefire, which has been repetitively violated, both reenact old Mandate system-style formulas for imposing new colonialism and fostering divisions in the local population. She quoted late Uruguayan author Eduardo Galeano, who prompted in 2008 to ask ourselves “who gave Israel the right to deny all rights?”. 

Despite of huge advancements by Latin American civil society in recognizing and condemning the genocide, she warned that the latter is still disputed by evangelical groups, far-right pro-Zionist parties, elites controlling large corporations, media foundations and universities, as it is the case in Brazil. In Brazil specifically, civil society and government together have enacted measures that have gone beyond those of EU countries but are clearly not enough, not only from a moral perspective but also from third party responsibilities and erga omnes obligations perspectives. For example, Brazil has intervened in South Africa’s ICJ case and officially withdrew from the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) in 2025. Bolivia, Colombia and Belize have completely severed their diplomatic ties with Israel; Chile, Honduras, Ecuador have called back their ambassadors for consultations, along with other few known acts of economic boycott. However, Brazil has not canceled its oil sales to Israel despite calls from workers unions and national federation of oil workers unions. 

Ms. Heidi Abushaibe, Human Rights and Transitional Justice Lawyer in Colombia, said Latin America, known for the devasting impact of war and dictatorship, has learned that social justice is no moral luxury but a historic duty. The death and destruction in Gaza, with 75,000 civilian casualties, the expansion of settlements in the West Bank have all shown that the UN resolutions are only words and impunity prevails. Despite the establishment of a multilateral order, inheritance of the colonial eras still dominates, preventing headway in the implementation of UN resolutions and for Member States to move from declaration to action. However, the turning point in this conflict should stem from international law and not political ideologies. International law can become relevant again if the world would seize the judicial momentum to end illegal occupation and focus on how legal mechanisms can translate into sanctions, precautionary measures and international legal responsibility and not to leave the faith of the Palestinian cause to dialogue and diplomacy. In this, during the peace negotiations a minimum level of reparations needs to be included for the multilateral system to become credible again. 

Mr. Sami Aliss Saba, Executive Director of the Arab Community in Bolivia, highlighted the history of the Palestinian community in Bolivia, including in the political sphere with a number of leaders of Palestinian background and explained that the country has been consistent in its solidarity with the Palestinian people in the last twenty years. After the abandonment of the PLO, however, so far there has not been true coordination among the Palestinian community. The youth and some activists have advocated for a single voice, and institutions are forming that may develop it. 

The importance of the Israel-Palestine conflict is not limited to the specific location and environment. It is linked to whether or not international law and rules are respected everywhere. The question of Palestine cannot be a cause only for some political parties but needs to be shared by all in the political spectrum. 

During the discussion, participants inquired inter alia about the lack of concrete advancement in the realization of the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people despite the importance of international law and the availability of legal instruments to address apartheid and genocide. Some experts argued that far-right governments will not respond to international law requirements to end the Israeli occupation and will defend Israel’s use of force. The only tangible results have been achieved by organized civil society, working together with progressive governments. In that regard, there should be continuing advocacy for international obligations of third states, and similar to measures undertaken by the current Colombian government, in the context of multilateralism. 

During the second plenary session “Implementing Recommendations: Challenging Israeli Impunity and Charting the Path to the Two-State Solution”, Mr. Víctor de Currea-Lugo, Advisor on Palestine and the Middle East to the President of Colombia, briefed that prior to President Petro’s government, Colombia was known as the “Israel of Latin America” with significant Zionist influence. Presently, Colombia developed a state policy on the Palestinian situation by participating in the South Africa v. Israel case at the ICJ, co-establishing the Hague Group and by advocating for the end of apartheid and the implementation of the two-State solution. Colombia proposed at the UN General Assembly, in September 2025, the deployment of an international force as part of a peace plan in order to stop the genocide. Most importantly, it had re-examined its trade treaty with Israel and proceeded with suspending exports of coal and sales of weapons to and from Israel, as well as military intelligence software. The ultimate goal of these series of diplomatic actions should be ending the occupation, and not only the delivery of unimpeded humanitarian assistance to Gaza. Colombia is therefore trying to set a multidimensional path of solidarity with the Palestinian cause. 

Mr. Germán Romano, BDS Latin America Coordinator, introduced the movement of Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions in Latin America and the Caribbean as the largest civil society movement embarking on concrete and peaceful actions to end Israel’s apartheid and the complicity of Member States and corporations when it comes to Israeli crimes committed against the Palestinian people. In the context of this region, he argued that the fight to break the corporate and institutional bonds with the Israeli apartheid should be the fight of the region for its own democracy, sovereignty and justice, as there has not been a single dictatorship in the past 50 years that did not receive support from Israel in the form of military training and surveillance and other forms of repression against the Latin American people. “There is vulnerability for our own people when we maintain trade ties with genocide Israel”, he added. 

The initiative of the Hague Group remains the most promising path for the realization of the rights of self-determination and return of the Palestinian people, as it presents legal and diplomatic steps against Israel’s violations of international law and are supported as fundamental demands by the social and civil society movements in Latin America. He informed that BDS demands the suspension of all bilateral military agreements with Israel; imposing a full energy embargo immediately; suspension of contracts and institutions’ funding that support Israel genocide; imposing a visa policy to help with the extradition and trial of alleged war criminals; and suspending Israel’s accreditation in the UN and international organizations. 

Mr. Ualid Rabah, President of the Arab Palestinian Federation of Brazil (FEPAL) described the deteriorating security and humanitarian situation in the West Bank and Gaza Strip and detailed Israel’s violations under the International Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of Genocide. He warned that in a future two-State solution, it would be unacceptable that Israel remains an apartheid state and reminded participants about key provisions under UN GA Resolutions 181 and 194. 

Ms. Diana Cahuas, Representative of the Palestinian Community in Peru shared the perspective of the Palestinian community in Peru – as one of the oldest diasporas in the region, with roots dating back to 1880. Although there have always been cultural celebrations and gatherings in the Palestinian community in Peru, the recent events in Gaza have now also led to a political awakening. The main challenges in Peru’s political scene include polarization, associating the Palestinian cause with the far-left movement, as well as the lack of understanding of the Arab region. Internal political unrest marked by the succession of eight Presidents lately along with the dominance of right-wing politics, superficial knowledge on the realities of the Israeli occupation all contribute to weakening the country’s stance on the Palestinian question. However, the Palestinian community has organized awareness campaigns including the planting of 10,000 trees in Cusco to commemorate children killed in the Gaza war. 

Ms. Marcela Sabat, Former Senator of Chile and Head of External Relations of the Palestinian Community of Chile, speaking of her country’s contributions to the Palestinian cause, explained that the latter is a state policy, not a government or ideology issue. There has been an active, articulate and vigilant community, which has not allowed Palestine to disappear from the public debate. She mentioned successive governments’ achievements including under President Piñera, who officially recognized the State of Palestine in 2011 and visited Ramallah and Bethlehem twice; and under President Boric who has maintained a firm and clear voice in defense of the rights of the Palestinian people. Chile was the first country in the world to recall its ambassador to Israel for consultations after the beginning of the genocide in Gaza; it supported South Africa’s lawsuit before the International Court of Justice, submitted background information to the International Criminal Court together with Mexico and granted legislative urgency to the draft law banning the import of products from illegal Israeli settlements in the OPT. She added that none of this was a coincidence – it responded to the existence of a strong, committed and present Palestinian community, which has been able to keep the public conscience alive and accompany the decisions of the State with rigor, arguments and moral legitimacy. 

During the discussion, calls were made for the coordination of efforts of civil society organizations in the region including by 620 Chilean attorneys on documenting Israel’s war crimes in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and Gaza, and the situation of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails. Focus was put on examples of BDS campaigns and social activism of unions and students in Brazil, Chile and elsewhere to exert pressure on complicit governments and potential consequences when they comply with their obligations. Speakers called on the audience to go beyond solidarity “from the heart” with the Palestinian people and to be more informed from legal, economic and diplomatic standpoints on the occupation and to treat the settler-colonial project not only as an Israeli project but an international one, reflecting the current order. 

In the closing session, Ambassador Vera Baboun (Palestine) said that each word expressed in this conference was evidence of increasing international will to end the protracted suffering of the Palestinian people. Speakers have articulated the harsh reality of that people for more than half a century and now the siege of and genocidal war against Gaza. She stated that it is a legal and moral imperative to join all people in the region in a fight for moral dignity and freedom. The situation in the OPT is not a political crisis but flagrant violations of international law as recognized in numerous UN resolutions. All States have the obligation of not recognizing or assisting in sustaining this illegal situation but to cooperate to end it. Discussions have also charted the path for the future based on the need for an accountability process, recognition of a Palestinian State and support to the two-State solution and right to self-determination. The latter is not conditional, nor negotiable and is rooted in justice, she said. Finally, the Chair of the Committee and Permanent Representative of Senegal to the United Nations applauded the unwavering commitment of civil society towards the Palestinian cause and expressed his hope that the discussions would translate into concrete steps in the near future until the right to self-determination becomes a reality. The UN Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People would continue its mandated role, to uphold human rights and international law.  

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