‘PUBLISHED IN’
Before the collapse of the Ottoman Empire, before the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, before the rallying cries of the Intifada, before the international community drawing up the courage to stand up in the name of humanity, there was an exodus.
Many, predominantly Christian, Palestinians, in an attempt to escape religious and non-religious persecution, moved to various different parts of the globe. Some ended up approximately 8,000 miles away, in Chile.
Life for these early immigrants was very difficult. They were victims of overt racism which trickled downwards, effecting their children and grandchildren. While being referred to as ‘turcos’, having lived under the Ottoman rule, the group faced consistent discrimination across socio-cultural and economic norms, to a point where Palestinian children stopped from enrolling in local schools. Their ethics, honour and ambition, too, were questioned in the matters of business.
The following words were published in a front-page editorial of the conservative Santiago-based newspaper El Mercurio on April 13, 1911.
“Whether Mohammedans or Buddhists, what you see and smell from far, is that they are all dirtier than the dogs of Constantinople. And who enter and leave the country with the freedom that those same dogs enjoy: nobody asks them who they are, where they come from, or where they are going ….”
That was then.
A Proud Platform
As the community grew, so did the need for a social platform where the Palestinians could maintain their core identity and their roots.
Enter Club Deportivo Palestino, formed in 1920 with the intention to benefit Santiago’s growing Palestinian community, in a similar way to how Scotland’s Celtic FC was shaped by Irishman Brother Walfrid in 1888.
Before the collapse of the Ottoman Empire, before the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, before the rallying cries of the Intifada, before the international community drawing up the courage to stand up in the name of humanity, there was an exodus.
Many, predominantly Christian, Palestinians, in an attempt to escape religious and non-religious persecution, moved to various different parts of the globe. Some ended up approximately 8,000 miles away, in Chile.
Life for these early immigrants was very difficult. They were victims of overt racism which trickled downwards, effecting their children and grandchildren. While being referred to as ‘turcos’, having lived under the Ottoman rule, the group faced consistent discrimination across socio-cultural and economic norms, to a point where Palestinian children stopped from enrolling in local schools. Their ethics, honour and ambition, too, were questioned in the matters of business.
The following words were published in a front-page editorial of the conservative Santiago-based newspaper El Mercurio on April 13, 1911.
“Whether Mohammedans or Buddhists, what you see and smell from far, is that they are all dirtier than the dogs of Constantinople. And who enter and leave the country with the freedom that those same dogs enjoy: nobody asks them who they are, where they come from, or where they are going ….”
That was then.
A Proud Platform
As the community grew, so did the need for a social platform where the Palestinians could maintain their core identity and their roots.
Enter Club Deportivo Palestino, formed in 1920 with the intention to benefit Santiago’s growing Palestinian community, in a similar way to how Scotland’s Celtic FC was shaped by Irishman Brother Walfrid in 1888.
SANTIAGO, CHILE – OCTOBER 27: Esteban Carvajal of Palestino heads the ball during a second leg quarter final match between Palestino and San Lorenzo as part of Copa Sudamericana 2016 at Monumental David Arellano Stadium on October 27, 2016 in Santiago, Chile. (Photo by Esteban Garay/LatinContent/Getty Images)
One could even consider Palestino the first football club ever founded by refugees globally.
Since creation, the club had added two national (Primera Division) titles (1955 and 1978), a couple of Copa Chile’s (1975 and 1977) and Primera B championships (1952 and 1972). While the club has not lived up to its exaggerated expectations in recent years, the fan-base continues to grow, primarily because of their continued devotion and support for the Palestinian cause.
The club’s kit include the Palestinian flag colours of red, green, and white and it would not be surprising for a neutral to observe Palestinian flags and keffiyehs (a traditional headdress) at the club’s home of Estadio Municipal de La Cisterna stadium.
Former Club Deportivo Palestino, Ahli Al Khaleel (West Bank) and Palestinian National Team player, Roberto Kettlun, was one of the pioneers of strengthening the bond of Chileans of Palestinian origins to their roots back in the Middle East.
Roberto credits his initial experience at Palestino for bringing him closer to his roots.
“I played for two seasons with Palestino club, it was an amazing experience, professionally and also personally,” he said. “It brought me closer to my origins, and also to the Palestinian national team which provided a platform for me to move to Greece.”
Concurrently, profound affection towards Palestino is widely displayed by the Palestinians and the wider Arab community around globe.
Top officials within the Palestinian Authority including President Mahmoud Abbas and Chief Negotiator Saeb Erekat have praised the achievements of the club in recent years. An excerpt from a private letter sent in 2016 by Erekat addressed to then club President Eduardo Heresi congratulating him on the club’s round of 16 victory over Brazilian side Flamengo in Copa Sudamericana, illustrated his pride and the pride of all Palestinians.
“You have made history for both Chile and Palestine, taking and raising our flag to the top in Latin American football, and thus, filling the faces of Palestinian children, who see the club as their second national team, with smiles,” he said. “We are waiting for the moment when they can play in Palestine, hopefully in a free Palestine. Remember that you are more than a football team, you represent an entire nation.”
Kit Controversy and Global Attention
Deportivo Palestino’s rise in global mainstream can be attributed to a kit dispute in 2014, which gained the club positive PR among those sympathetic to the Palestinian cause. In January 2014, the team walked on to the pitch wearing kits with the number “1” depicted in the shape of the pre-1948, historical map of Palestine before the creation of Israel. The move drew widespread appreciation from various parts of the world.
After bowing down to the accusation of disrespect from various Jewish groups, the Chilean FA subpoenaed Palestino’s former president Maurice Khamis Massu, banned the kits and slapped the club with a fine of $15,000. Some players tattooed the map on their forearms in defiance. The controversy not only increased the club’s fan base across the world but the kits in question became iconic overnight – specifically the number 11 shirt.
Kettlun was recently announced as the club’s Sports Director after a successful career both as a player and later a consultant to the Bank of Palestine, who sponsor the club’s shirts. As thankful as he is for the opportunity, his goal is to take the club to the next level on and off the pitch.
“I am very happy and grateful for this opportunity, my personal objective is to try to help this wonderful jewel to shine even more and in more places,” Kettlun said. “During the last few years, Palestino’s performances were no different than many of the top clubs in the region, qualifying towards international competitions for three years in a row. And now, we need to maintain these standards if we want to be recognised globally and continue to be a cause of pride for all the Palestinian people.”
Homecoming
The South American club embarked on their first ever trip to Palestine in December 2016, little less than a year after Palestinian League champions Ahli Al Khaleel had visited Palestino in Santiago.
While in Palestine they played several friendlies, hosted training camps for children and visited various dignitaries. However, their request to cross through Israel to visit Gaza was denied by COGAT, the defense body in charge of issuing travel permits.
The goal now is to build on the relationships forged on that trip, as Kettlun explains.
“Palestino visited Palestine in December 2016, and played a historical match against the Palestine national team in Nablus,” he said. “We firmly believe we need to work hard, aiming to be able to reach every single Palestinian on earth.”
“We have a good plan, we are developing the strategy to implement it, and we hope by the end of the year to surprise all our supporters.”
A Brighter Future
Before they could venture forward, the club needed to address how the kit issue had affected Palestino’s relationship with Chilean football officials. Kettlun is confident that things are getting better, as the club is not only working towards raising the profile for Palestinians, but also stand first as Chileans.
“Actually we are getting a lot of support here in Chile,” he added. “We respect our Football Association’s statements, we wave our flag through our passion for football, and we try to become more competitive each and every day, knowing each victory inside the field brings happiness to those who look upon us in our mother land.”
Things continue to look up for Deportivo Palestino’s community.
In a message last year, the Palestinian Authority’s Hanan Ashrawi praised the effort that goes into maintaining their relationship with their homeland.
“By returning to Palestine and maintaining your links to the homeland, you are reaffirming the Palestinian connection to the land and our right to exist in freedom and in dignity.”
That dignity is evident at every match the Palestino play. Today, a visit to La Cisterna will entail hearing Arabic and Palestinian National songs as the players give their all in those famous shirts. To the delight of those fans 8,000 miles away.
