Portrait of María Corina Machado
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María Corina Machado on Gaza War

Pro-Israel stance (strong)

TL;DR

María Corina Machado firmly supports Israel's actions in its war in Gaza and promises to align Venezuela with Israel if elected president.

Key Points

  • She announced that if elected president, she would move the Venezuelan embassy to Jerusalem, promising closer ties with Israel.

  • Machado hailed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's decisions and actions in the course of the war during a phone call.

  • She has directly criticized the Iranian regime for backing both the current Venezuelan government and terrorist organizations like Hamas.

Summary

Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado has taken a strong, publicly declared pro-Israel stance regarding the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Following her Nobel Peace Prize win, she stated in an interview with an Israeli channel that if she becomes president, she would move Venezuela's embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, promising a close relationship between the two nations as part of her support for the State of Israel. This position has drawn significant criticism, with some pointing to her past statements and accusing her of backing actions that critics label as genocide in Gaza. She also reportedly wrote in the past that the struggle of Venezuela is the struggle of Israel, calling the nation a genuine ally of freedom.

Her stance on the Gaza War is contextualized by her broader political alignment, which includes advocacy for foreign intervention in Venezuela against the current administration and support for former US President Donald Trump. She has directly called out the Iranian regime as a key backer of both the Maduro administration and designated terrorist organizations such as Hamas. This clear pro-Israel position contrasts sharply with the historical stance of the Venezuelan government, which severed diplomatic ties with Israel in protest of the 2008-2009 Gaza War.

Key Quotes

"I believe and I can announce that our government will move our Israeli embassy to Jerusalem"

"...all nations in the Middle East deserve a future built on dignity, justice, and hope -- not fear,"

Frequently Asked Questions

María Corina Machado expresses strong support for Israel's actions in the Gaza War. She has stated her intention to move Venezuela's embassy to Jerusalem if elected president as a sign of this support.

Yes, the Nobel Peace Prize laureate held a phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. During the call, she reportedly praised his 'resolute actions in the course of the war' and the hostage release agreement.

Her pro-Israel position is tied to her broader political fight against what she views as totalitarian forces, extending to her criticism of Iran and its allies, including the current Venezuelan government.