In Chile’s capital Santiago, a pro-Palestinian rally at a football match has brought together thousands of people in support of Gaza. The players of Club Deportivo Palestino, with names like Jose and Antonio, show their support for the Palestinian cause by wearing red, white, black, and green-colored jerseys, highlighting the connection between Chile’s Palestinian community and their ancestral homeland far away. Captain Bryan Carrasco describes the club as more than just a sports team, offering a deeper insight into Palestinian history.
As the Israeli-Palestinian conflict escalates in Gaza, Club Palestino has become a focal point for collective Palestinian grief, hosting electric game atmospheres, viewing parties, and pre-match political stunts. The director of Chile’s Palestinian community, Diego Khamis, emphasizes the daily suffering faced by Palestinians in the midst of the war, highlighting the sense of unity and solidarity among the Palestinian community in Chile and around the world. The club’s unabashed support for the Palestinian cause has drawn attention and controversy, with fines imposed for political gestures on the field.
Founded in 1947, Club Deportivo Palestino quickly became a source of pride for Chile’s Palestinian community, winning championships and gaining popularity both in Chile and in the Middle East. Despite being a relatively small club in terms of spectators, Palestino has a large following on social media, reflecting the widespread support for their pro-Palestinian stance. The club’s involvement in supporting programmes in the occupied territories has also been affected by the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
In response to the war in Gaza, the players of Club Palestino have made symbolic gestures on the field, such as wearing keffiyehs and holding antiwar banners, as a show of solidarity with the Palestinian people. One particular gesture, where players held their arms out to the side in memory of children killed in Gaza, was met with enthusiasm from fans at the stadium. Despite the controversy and challenges faced by the club, their unwavering support for the Palestinian cause continues to resonate with their community and beyond.
The connection between Club Deportivo Palestino and the Palestinian community both in Chile and abroad highlights the power of sports in uniting people around a common cause. As the conflict in Gaza continues to escalate, the club’s role in raising awareness and showing solidarity with Palestine has become increasingly important. Through their actions on and off the field, Club Palestino serves as a powerful symbol of resistance and support for the Palestinian people in their struggle for justice and peace.
