When I started this blog, about twelve years ago, it was more of a curiosity to me. I just wanted to explore the subcultural impact of Arabs in Latin America. I wanted to show the world the food, the music, and the dance that Arabs had brought to Latin culture.
AND IT WAS IMPRESSIVE!
However, there were times that events intruded into the exploration of the subculture. The continuing wars in Gaza always left a mark. But the present Gaza War is of an altogether different character.
Unlike much of the world, and much of the internet, my own sympathies tend to lie with Israel, but I am an American.
Latin America has tens of millions of citizens of Arab ancestry, and while almost all of those Arab-Latins are Christians, some have a pro-Palestinian, anti-Israel view. Chile, for example, has a massive Palestinian population which is very politically powerful, very hostile to Israel, and very influential. Oddly, these Chilean Palestinians are 99% Christian, yet sympathetic to the Islamic cause of Palestine in the Mideast.
To be sure, I am NOT putting down Latin-Arabs, most of whom are nice, but the media focuses on the loud protestors. And the Christians in Latin America forget that their ancestors often left the Mideast due to Muslim persecutions against Christians.
Thankfully, as a rule, Latins of Lebanese Maronite Christian ancestry do remember the predations of Islam; and they tend to avoid an anti-Israel sentiment. They can be a moderating force among other Latin-Arabs.
One has to remember that the pro-Palestinian elements may be loud and organized, but in Latin America there is a growing base of Evangelical Christians who are very pro-Israel. These will not make the headlines … but they vote and politicians have to take that bloc into account.
Posted on YouTube: November 13, 2023
Israel Receives Massive Support from Christians
(Can be auto-translated)
And what you have to also remember is that the general media often lies to you.
I am not saying Israel is perfect. WHAT NATION IS?!
But Hamas is a dark, vicious, terror group.
For example: This is floating on Twitter (X):
Estudiantes de la Universidad de Buenos Aires, Argentina, participan en el movimiento estudiantil global para exigir el fin del genocidio en la Franja de Gaza. pic.twitter.com/6GAQLCIxNr
— Palestina Hoy (@HoyPalestina) May 8, 2024
Some students in Argentina are pro-Palestinian. So what?!
The tweet does not tell the whole story concerning Argentina.
The President of Argentina, Javier Milei, is very pro-Israel, but the tweet does not mention that. Neither does the tweet mention that a large part of Argentina’s elite is Jewish.
Unlike the rest of Latin America, Argentina had a massive wave of Jewish immigration. It has greatly affected their culture.
So a few pro-Palestinian students in Buenos Aires are insignificant.
Likewise, Brazil’s Presicent Lula may be against Israel, but he knows his position is weak. He got elected by a questionable vote. His opponent was Jair Bolsonaro, a strong pro-Israel supporter. Massive sections of Brazil are Christian-Zionist.
Just remember that, even in Latin America, Israel has its supporters.
So media reports from South America may be out of sync with the underlying public opinion. While you may see supporters for Gaza in South America on the media, remember that these reports may be biased.
