Hebron received on the 24th of April the visit of a Chilean solidarity delegation representing various political institutions and parties, accompanied by Palestine’s ambassador to Chile, Dr. May Kileh, and Ambassador Dr. Mounjid Saleh, assistant foreign minister for North and South American affairs. Presided by Chilean PM Andrew Silva, the delegation sought a first-hand account of the political and living conditions in the Old City and expressed solidarity with its residents.

At City Hall, the delegation was received by Hebron Mayor, Khalid Osaily, who welcomed the visiting delegation and thanked them for their solidarity, humanitarian sense and colossal efforts exerted in support of the Palestinians’ legitimate rights. He also expressed gratitude for their achievements in supporting the efforts aimed at recognizing the Palestinian State by Latin American countries. Furthermore, he underlined the Palestinian people’s gratification at the solid relations between the Palestinian and Chilean leaderships and populations, and expressed appreciation for Ambassadors Kileh and Saleh for their efforts aimed at setting up collaborative partnerships between Palestinian institutions and their Chilean counterparts.

During the meeting, Osaily gave a short presentation of the city’s history and the dangers it faces due to continued settlement activities and to the measures imposed by occupation authorities in the Old City, as well as the massacres perpetrated against unarmed Palestinians. He requested the visiting delegation to transmit its view of the suffering endured by residents of the Old City and the Southern region, which is still under the control of the Israeli occupation and subject to partitioning and forced closures. He expressed indignation as to the fact that, despite international conventions stipulating the reopening of Martyrs’ Street, Palestinians – including the Mayor himself – were still unable to use the said street.

Osaily affirmed that the free world has to take a stand to pressure Israel into putting an end to such policies and force it to abide by international laws and end its collective punishment of the Palestinian people. “The free world must expose its inhumane practices, which constitute a blatant violation of Human Rights upheld by international covenants”, he added. He also expressed his firm belief that occupation will end one day and asserted that Palestinians will remain attached to their land until full liberation is achieved and a Palestinian State is created.

“Despite all obstacles imposed by occupation forces and settlers, we are determined to build our city and develop our industries and services up to a level that achieves our residents’ well-being and satisfaction. This is what we have endeavored for throughout the years, ultimately proving our ability to achieve distinction if given the opportunity”, he added

On his part, Mr. Silva thanked Mayor Osaily for his generous welcome and expressed, in his name and that of his delegation, solidarity with the Palestinian people’s rights and support for its efforts to attain its legitimate right of full representation in the United Nations. He expressed his wish for the Palestinians to achieve freedom, create their own independent state and obtain all their rights under international charters.

Following the meeting, the delegation went on a field tour of the Old City and its neighborhoods, including a visit to houses lying adjacent to settlements. They also visited Al Ibrahimi Mosque and witnessed the provocative measures enforced at its entrances.