Chile is the country on the Southwest Pacific coast of South America, which runs from a polar south to tropical north. 5% of Chile’s population is Arab, and the majority of that is Palestinian-Christian: Chilestino/Chilestinian.
Chile is a first world country now, very democratic. The Chilestinos are prosperous and wield incredible political power.
More on the Centennial of the Palestino Soccer Club in Chile.
Some Israelis try to deny the existence of a Palestinian identity/nationality.
How do they explain that this club was started in 1920 by immigrants and the sons of immigrants to Chile?
I am actually in favor of Israel, but to deny the existence of a Palestinian people is not helpful. The reason the conflict is so vicious is precisely because a Palestinian people do exist.
Felicitations to [Sports Club] Palestino upon 100 years from its foundation, the celebration of 100 years of historic sport, compromising an identity representing our people in the diaspora.
We are a singular people with teams that have the same name and flag.
My regards, though you, to all the family of Palestine, the Palestinian community of Chile, Latin America, and the rest of the world. We are very proud of your achievements at the national and international level. We hope that soon you will be able to play in Holy Jerusalem, the capital of the state of Palestine, and that you will continue to bring joy and pride to our people.
Mohammed Abbas
President of the State of Palestine
The opinions of the letter belong to President Abbas, and are not mine.
Whether or not you think that Palestinians are a real people or an “invented” one, they obviously consider themselves a nationality — and so do Palestinian-Chileans.
Mohammed Abbas, the dictator of the Palestinian Authority in Ramallah, sent a letter of congratulation to CD (Club Deportivo/Sports Club) Palestino on the occasion of their 100th anniversary.
CD Palestino has an international following, not only in Chile, but also in the Mideast. They are a phenomenom.
This is a big deal among Palestinians in Chile and Latin America, especially Chile.
PS: You can use the Settings (the gear) to get English translations.
When the sounds of excitement rise, everyone cheers Palestino ?? ?عندما تعلو أصوات الحماس والتشويق والإثارة ، الكل يهتف باليستينو ?? ?Ese sonido que te llega al alma. ¡Todos con Palestino! #VamosPalestino #يلا_بالستينو
Guess who is celebrating their centennial. Club Palestino in Chile. (Click to see the video on Facebook – they changed the permissions)
Club Palestino is a successful football (soccer) team in Chile and South America, having won championships. It has become an international phenomenon.
Even though headquartered in Chile, they have been embraced in the Arab world as well.
Their fans call themselves Baisanos, which comes from the Spanish word: paisanos, which means countrymen or compatriots. However, as Arabs often have trouble pronouncing the letter P, and instead say B, the fans call themselves Baisanos. It is an affectionate remembrance of their Arab ancestors’ struggle with the Spanish language.
The club has thoroughly identified itself with the Palestinian cause; and has become somewhat of a firebrand for Palestinian nationalism.
As an aside: those who would claim that Palestinians had no national identity before 1964 have to contend with the fact that this team was found in 1920 – some say 1916 – which is a long time before 1964.
The team has made tours to the disputed territories. Indeed, they are controversial.
June 16, 2022 – Made a note about video, which can now be seen only on Facebook.
As you can see, the Chilean soccer team: Club Palestino, and the Palestinian cause have become mutually identified in both Chile and the disputed territories.
Shabab al Khalil is a soccer team in Hebron. I took the liberty of translating it, as most people would not know what Shabab al-Khalil means. Al-Khalil is the Arabic name for Hebron.
