In the late 1800s, Palestinians (initially young men) began arriving to Chile. Many were escaping conscription into the Ottoman Army. Over time, more Palestinians would arrive to Chile and work in various industries in the country, particularly the textile industry.[1] In 1947, Chile abstained from voting in the United Nations Partition Plan for Palestine.
In 1990, the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) established an "Information Office" in Santiago.[2] In 1994, with the formation of the Palestinian National Authority, the Information Office changed its category to a "Representation Office of Palestine in Chile". In April 1998, Chile was the first Latin American country to open a Representation Office to the Palestinian National Authority in Ramallah.[2]
In June 2019, President Piñera paid a second visit to Palestine and traveled to East Jerusalem, Bethlehem and Ramallah where he met again with Mahmoud Abbas.[6]
In December 2022, President Gabriel Boric announced the opening of an embassy of Chile in Palestine.[7]
Both nations have signed a few agreements such as Memorandum of Understanding for Scientific, Technical, Cultural and Educational Cooperation (1996); Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministries of Health of Chile and the Palestinian National Authority, regarding health matters (2008); Memorandum of Understanding on Economic Cooperation (2011); Agreement on visa exemption for holders of diplomatic and official passports (2016); and a Memorandum of Understanding on Cultural Cooperation (2017).[8]
There is a community of approximately 400,000 people of Palestinian origin in Chile which makes Chile having the largest Palestinian community outside of the Middle East.[9]
Palestine
