SANTIAGO: Chile`s Palestinian community, the largest outside the Middle East, is a strong force in the Andean nation, involved in local politics, culture and soccer. Now it`s making Chile one of the loudest regional voices criticising Israel over its military action in Gaza.

Chile`s President Gabriel Boric, a moderate figure in the Latin American left, recalled the country`s ambassador in Tel Aviv last week and said Israel was not abiding by international law.

On a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, Boric added that the Israeli military operation `at this stage acts as a collective punishment to the civilian population in Gaza.` He brought up the issue with President Joe Biden during a bilateralmeetinglastThursdayinWashington.

`There`s no doubt we can say the response has been disproportionate and is violating international humanitarian law,` Boric told reporters after the meeting at the White House.The Palestinian community`s roots run deep in Chile, with immigration starting in the late 19th century when Christians fled the faltering Ottoman Empire. Chile is now estimated to have more than half a million Palestinians, many third, fourth or even fifth generation, a substantial minority in a country of under 20 million people.

The community has been galvanised, holding rallies outside the presidential palace, organising charity concerts, clamoring for a ceasefire and pushing for boycotts. Members of the community have met with the minister of foreign affairs to lobby the government to push for a ceasefire from Israel.

`The Palestinian community here is as diverse as any other. We live in every city and territory in Chile,` said Claudia Yarur, who says her great-grandparents carried passports from the Ottoman Empire when they immigrated to Chile.-Reuters