Original article: “Una hermandad construida durante más de un siglo”: Cámara aprueba Día de la Amistad y Solidaridad Chileno-Palestina

Chilean Parliament Approves January 7 as Chile-Palestine Friendship and Solidarity Day

The Chamber of Deputies has passed a bill designating January 7 as Chile-Palestine Friendship and Solidarity Day, aimed at recognizing the fraternal ties that have linked Chile to Palestine for over a century.

The initiative was approved with 100 votes in favor, 9 against, and 20 abstentions in the lower house, seeking to commemorate the connections between the nation and the Palestinian community living in Chile, the largest outside the Arab world, with nearly 500,000 residents.

Additionally, it aims to reaffirm Chile’s foreign policy of solidarity with the Palestinian cause and the defense of human rights and self-determination for people worldwide.

The project, introduced in January 2024, sets the date of January 7 because on that day in 2011, the State of Chile officially recognized the State of Palestine.

«This date is significant: on January 7, 2011, under President Sebastián Piñera, Chile formally recognized the State of Palestine. It marked the day Chile transformed a fraternal relationship, built by its people over more than a century, into a state act,» stated the Palestinian ambassador to Chile, Vera Baboun, who expressed gratitude for the widespread support for the initiative.

«On behalf of the State of Palestine and the Palestinian people, I extend our deepest thanks to the Chilean National Congress for approving this project,» she affirmed, as reported by Bio Bío Chile.

Baboun also noted that the approval of Chile-Palestine Friendship and Solidarity Day coincided with the 81st General Assembly of the United Nations, where the Palestinian delegation was unable to attend in person due to visa denials from the U.S. government under the ultraconservative administration of Donald Trump.

Friendship Between Chile and Palestine Has Never Belonged to a Political Sector

In light of this recognition, the president of the Palestinian Community, Maurice Khamis, recalled that the friendship of Chile with Palestine« has never belonged to any political sector and has transcended various governments and sensitivities.

«This project symbolizes a friendship built over more than a century by generations of Palestinians who made Chile their home and who today are an inseparable part of our country’s history. When we speak of Palestine in Chile, we speak of families, neighborhoods, institutions, businesses, professionals, athletes, and leaders who have contributed to the development of this country for over 100 years,» he emphasized, as quoted by the cited media outlet.

Similarly, Deputy and President of the Chile-Palestine Friendship Group, Omar Sabat (UDI), stated that the broad vote supporting the initiative reflects «the importance of Palestine in the hearts of Chileans».

The parliamentarian remembered the victims of genocide and occupation in Palestine by the Zionist regime of Israel.

«I believe we all feel the suffering of a people who are illegally occupied, but we also know that at some point, peace will exist on this planet (…) Long live Palestine and long live Chile,» he asserted.

Institutionalizing a Friendship Built Over Generations

Meanwhile, representatives from the Palestinian community in Chile expressed that the Chile-Palestine Friendship and Solidarity Day represents a «recognition of great historical and symbolic value».

«Over a century of Palestinian presence in our country, with families who have put down roots and contributed to the social, cultural, economic, athletic, and public life of Chile, while keeping their connection to Palestine alive,” they highlighted in a statement shared on social media.

The group noted that Chile-Palestine Friendship and Solidarity Day allows for the institutionalization of a friendship built over generations and «projecting it towards the future. Chile and Palestine, united by a history that continues to be written».

«Chile and Palestine, united by a history that continues to be written», they concluded.

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