Nayib Bukele on Palestine

Nayib Bukele, the President of El Salvador, has taken a distinctly pro-Israel stance in foreign policy, often overshadowing his Palestinian ancestry. Following the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack, he expressed horror and unequivocally stated that the best outcome for the Palestinian people would be the complete disappearance of Hamas, equating the militant group to domestic gang violence. He has also maintained warm relations with Israeli officials and promoted security and technology deals, including Israeli-sponsored visits during his time as mayor where he prayed at the Western Wall.

While Bukele has publicly expressed pride in his heritage and a desire to see a thriving Palestinian state, this has been qualified by an emphasis on technology and business over sovereignty, which contrasts with the core demands of Palestinian activists. This political calculus appears driven by the need to maintain favorable relations with Israel and to court the country's significant evangelical Christian electorate, whose support is often framed by Christian Zionist theology. The President’s cautious and business-focused approach has created a clear divide with the large Salvadoran Palestinian diaspora, which largely supports the Palestinian cause.