A Palestinian team in Chile combines soccer with strong political activism.

SANTIAGO, Chile (AP) — With arms raised and banners denouncing the conflict in Gaza, large crowds sang together while wearing keffiyehs — the distinctive black-and-white checkered scarves that symbolize Palestinian identity.

This scene might resemble a typical pro-Palestinian protest amidst the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, but these thousands of protesters were actually soccer fans attending a league match in Santiago, the capital of Chile.

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Despite the players on the field having names like José and Antonio and being from a Spanish-speaking country in South America, their passion for the Palestinian cause, highlighted by their red, white, black, and green jerseys, reveals how Chile’s historical soccer club acts as a connection for the world’s largest Palestinian community outside the Middle East to their ancestral homeland thousands of miles away.

“It’s more than just a club; it connects you to the history of the Palestinians,” stated Bryan Carrasco, captain of Chile’s famed Club Deportivo Palestino.

As the most violent war in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict’s history continues in the Gaza Strip, the lively atmosphere during the club’s matches, along with viewing events and political displays before games, has increasingly resonated with a collective sense of Palestinian sorrow in this newly intensified conflict.

“We stand united in the face of this war,” remarked Diego Khamis, director of the country’s Palestinian community. “It’s daily suffering.”

The current conflict has put pressure on the Palestino club, leading to the closure of their training facility in Gaza and interruptions in their supportive programs across the West Bank. However, it has also inspired both players and fans in Chile. Now, before matches start, players rush onto the field wearing keffiyehs and holding anti-war signs, taking a knee as a show of solidarity.

Previously, players would enter the field holding hands with child mascots, but they’ve changed this ritual. Instead, they extend their arms to represent empty space, honoring the “invisible children” who have lost their lives in Gaza. This small yet poignant act could easily go unnoticed, particularly by the casual fan. However, amongst this audience, it triggered an uproar of support.

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