In Santiago, Chile, soccer fans have transformed a routine league match into a vibrant display of pro-Palestinian activism. Thousands of supporters, draped in keffiyehs and waving banners, gathered at Club Deportivo Palestino’s stadium to protest the ongoing Israeli-Hamas conflict.
Despite their South American roots and Spanish names, the players and fans of Club Palestino are deeply connected to Palestinian heritage. The club’s recent matches have featured political statements and gestures of solidarity with Palestinians, reflecting the strong ties of Chile’s Palestinian community with their ancestral homeland.
Club Deportivo Palestino, founded by Palestinian immigrants in Chile, has become a symbol of the global Palestinian diaspora’s struggles and hopes. Amid the escalating conflict in Gaza, where over 40,000 Palestinians have died, the team’s support extends beyond the field. They’ve incorporated protests and tributes into their pre-match routines, including a poignant tribute to children killed in the conflict.
The team’s political stands have occasionally sparked controversy. In 2014, the Chilean Football Federation fined the club for incorporating a map of Palestine on their jerseys. Yet, their unabashed support continues to resonate with fans and the broader community.
President Gabriel Boric has been a vocal critic of Israel, leading to tensions with Chile’s Jewish community. Nonetheless, the Palestinian community in Chile remains resilient, with Club Palestino serving as a crucial outlet for expressing solidarity with those suffering in Gaza.