Chile: A Home For Palestinians
Chile: A Home For Palestinians
October 21 10:47 2014
CHILE — This country in the south-east extremes of America is home to around 400,000 Palestinians. I Love Chile reports on the history of Palestinian emigration to Chile, the role Palestinians play in contemporary society, and the government stance on what is happening in Israel and the Palestinian territories.
Did any of you hear of the Palestinian football team’s shirt which was banned earlier this year? That team was Club Deportivo Palestino, which began here in Chile back in 1920. Club Deportivo Palestino replaced all number 1’s on their shirts with a map of Palestine as it existed before the creation of Israel, and whilst the Chilean Football Federation did fine the team 800,000 CLP for using the shirt, the publicity stunt highlighted the large support base Palestine has in Chile.
The Palestinian population use their liberty as citizens of Chile to call for the same freedoms to be extended to those still living in Gaza and the West Bank. While it is a great accomplishment that there is a prosperous football team here in Chile, their hope is that one day something as normal as a Palestinian team can be successful on its own territory, without the constraints that are placed upon training and playing by the occupation.
History of Palestinian Emigration to Chile
The first wave of Palestinian immigrants came to Chile in the early 1900s, fleeing from the Ottoman Turks (many to escape enrollment into the Ottoman military). Most are Christian, having migrated from the four key, predominantly Christian towns of Bethlehem, Beit Jala, Beit Sahour and Beit Safafa.
More:
http://www.ilovechile.cl/2014/10/21/chile-palestine/122381
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