A Hanukkah celebration in Puerto Montt, Chile, was marred by controversy this week following the appearance of a Hamas flag, prompting strong condemnation from the Jewish community [[3]]. The incident, occurring during a multi-faith event intended to foster religious understanding, has ignited concerns about rising antisemitism and the normalization of extremist symbols within Chilean society. The Jewish community argues the display violates constitutional rights and may constitute discrimination under Chilean law [[3]].
The Jewish community in Chile has strongly condemned the display of a Hamas flag during a Hanukkah celebration in Puerto Montt, in the Los Lagos region. The incident has sparked outrage and raised concerns about rising antisemitism and the normalization of extremist ideologies.
In a statement released on social media, the organization wrote, “We strongly condemn the events that occurred during the Hanukkah celebration in the city of Puerto Montt, held in a public space and organized by evangelical Christian communities as a gesture of interfaith fraternity and respect for diversity of beliefs.”
“It is especially serious that a strictly religious ceremony was interrupted with political slogans and, even more alarmingly, with flags of Hamas, an organization considered worldwide to be of a terrorist nature,” the statement continued.
The community argued that the display of symbols linked to a terrorist organization during a religious event “violates fundamental rights guaranteed by Chilean law, in particular freedom of conscience and worship, psychic integrity, and the right to equality and non-discrimination enshrined in Article 19 Nos. 1, 2 and 6 of the Republic’s Constitution.”
Hamás es una organización terrorista ❗️
Mostrar su bandera en una ceremonia judía de Janucá en Puerto Montt 🇨🇱 no es protesta ni opinión política: es celebración del terrorismo e incitación a la violencia‼️@comjudiachile @WAINRAIHGT @ale_santanat pic.twitter.com/BQd4Z0lA7r
— Marina Rosenberg (@_MarinaRos) December 22, 2025
The organization also stated that the act “may constitute an act of arbitrary discrimination under Law No. 20.609, implying harassment and intimidation, affecting the legitimate exercise of their rights and clearly exceeding the limits of freedom of expression.”
“The normalization of these acts directly attacks coexistence, interreligious dialogue, and the fundamental values that sustain our common life,” the statement emphasized.
The recent attack in Sydney, Australia, carried out by two individuals linked to the ideology of the Islamic State (ISIS) and resulting in at least 16 fatalities, was cited as a stark example of the dangers of unchecked extremism. The Jewish community in Chile underscored the terrorist nature of the group, stating that such incidents demonstrate the escalation to real violence when expressions of hate are minimized or ignored.
The community issued a call for Chileans to condemn terrorism, antisemitism, and all forms of discrimination. “Chile is a country built on respect, pluralism and freedom of worship,” the statement read. “Therefore, in the face of events like these, the condemnation of terrorism, antisemitism and all forms of discrimination cannot fall solely on one particular community: it must be a transversal commitment of all Chilean society, without distinctions or ambiguities and in accordance with current law.”
The Jewish community in Chile further urged authorities to take necessary measures to uphold the Constitution and the rule of law, ensuring that such incidents are not repeated and that existing regulations are effectively applied to acts that violate fundamental rights. This call for action highlights the importance of protecting religious freedom and preventing the spread of hate speech.
Declaración Pública Comunidad Judía de Chile pic.twitter.com/gY0OGyN9lm
— Comunidad Judía de Chile (@comjudiachile) December 22, 2025
