Thousands of miles away from the Middle East, in Santiago, Chile, the nation of Palestine comes to life within the confines of a stadium during a soccer match that lasts for a fleeting 90 minutes.
Chileans and Palestinians conjured this alternate reality once again on Thursday, as Club Deportivo Palestino, with its roots in the early 1900s Palestinian immigrant community in Chile, paid tribute to the victims of the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza.
A poignant banner declaring “In memory of those who are no longer with us” adorned the stands, with an empty section of seats serving as a solemn representation of the lives lost.
“We decided to have a space in our grandstand and leave it empty… as a gesture of support for the Palestinian people and what is happening in Gaza,” shared club president Jorge Uauy with AFP.
Chile is home to the largest Palestinian community outside the Arab world, with initial immigrants arriving from Bethlehem, Beit Jala, and Beit Sahour. As the community, now estimated at 500,000, grew, the soccer club was established in 1920.
Wearing green, white, and red striped jerseys featuring a map of the territory pre-dating Israel’s establishment, players observed a moment of silence before taking to the field. Accompanied by children donning keffiyehs, the players aimed to express their solidarity with Palestine.
“There are different ways of expressing pain and closeness to Palestine. Today it was the children as a way of showing that they are the most affected,” expressed Uauy.
“We hope (Palestinians) will see that there are people in other parts of the world who are looking out for them and who are suffering for them.”
The latest Israel-Hamas conflict, which began on October 7, has resulted in a devastating toll, with Israeli authorities reporting around 1,200 deaths, mainly civilians, from Hamas fighters’ cross-border raid. Conversely, Gaza authorities claim that nearly 15,000 people, mostly women and children, have died due to the Israeli military’s bombardment and land invasion in response.
– ‘Very attached’ –
In the colorful stands, club supporters offered their own heartfelt tributes.
“Gaza resists, Palestine exists,” echoed the fans, accompanied by the sounds of drums and trumpets. However, they paused 11 minutes into the game to allow a lone trumpet to play a solemn funeral melody.
“We give them a little joy,” shared fan Jorge Yarur, 57.
Journalism student Benjamin Contardo, 20, emphasized that fans are “very attached to the Palestinian cause.”
“For us, Palestine is more than a team… It is a whole people, and we want to represent the voice of all of them,” he emphasized.
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Michael Johnson is your soccer guru, providing extensive coverage of soccer. With a global perspective, he delivers match reports, player interviews, and insights into the beautiful game, ensuring readers stay connected to the world of soccer.
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