A Chilean delegation of Palestinian origin visited Hebron today in order to get acquainted with conditions in the Old City, show solidarity with its inhabitants, strengthen ties between the Palestinian diaspora and their land and enhance their sense of belonging to their land. The delegation, chaired by MikalAbdelmassih, a prominent personality from the Palestinian Diaspora in Chile, was accompanied by Hani Al Hayek, Mayor of BeitSahour.
Hebron Mayor KhaledOsaily welcomed the delegation at the Municipality. He thanked its members for their support, patriotism and efforts to convey a real picture of what is happening in Palestine. He also valued their efforts towards ensuring recognition by several Latin American countries of the Palestinian State.Osaily also provided a historic overview of Hebron and spoke about the threats it faces due to settlements, illegal and illegitimate Israeli decisions concerning Islamic holy sites, measures imposed by occupation authorities in the Old City and massacres committed against unarmed Palestinians. He then touched on the project to inscribe Hebron on Unesco’s World Heritage List, calling upon the delegation to support this project and to join the international lobby working to achieve this end.
Osaily spoke about peace likelihoods under the current Israeli government which he described as a “settler government”. “Palestinians are a peace-loving nation. They want their children to live in peace like all other children in the world. The Palestinian leadership extends its hands towards a just and comprehensive peace, but it seems that the other party does not wish to achieve this peace based on international resolutions, and continues to hinder all attempts to achieve a political settlement in the region. An international stance is needed to pressure Israel to put an end to its policies, force it to abide by international law and respect all that was agreed upon within the peace process. Israel’s inhumane measures which go against internationally agreed-upon human rights must also be unveiled”, he added.
Osaily also touched on the role played by Palestinian immigrants and the Palestinian Diaspora throughout the world, underlining the support they can provide to Palestinian demands and rights. He highlighted efforts by the Chilean Palestinian community and the role it played to increase the understanding of the Chilean government and people of Palestinian rights.
Mr. Abdelmasih said the Palestinian community in Chile comprises 350 thousand members and is very powerful from an economic and a political point of view. It managed through its various activities and projects to promote Palestine and raise the Palestinian flag in Chile through the creation of the “Palestine” football team which plays in the Major league and which has won the league’s trophy three times. Moreover, many charity organizations, public institutions and commercial companies are named after Palestine. “Every Chilean of Palestinian origin has the Palestinian flag at home. We work to enhance their sense of belonging to the land of Palestine by encouraging young people to visit their holy land. This is why we are here today. The love of Palestine is increasing in our hearts, and even if we are Chileans now we never forget that we are of Palestinian origin”, he said.
Following the meeting, the delegation toured Old City quarters, Palestinian homes adjacent to settler outposts and Al Ibrahimi Mosque, receiving a first-hand view of provocative measures imposed at its entrances.