Chile’s Palestinian community, the largest outside the Middle East, is a strong force in the Andean nation, involved in local politics, culture and soccer. Now it’s making Chile one of the loudest regional voices criticising Israel over its military action in Gaza.

The Palestinian community’s roots run deep in Chile, with immigration starting in the late 19th century when Christians fled the faltering Ottoman Empire.

Chile is now estimated to have more than half a million Palestinians, many third, fourth or even fifth-generation, a substantial minority in a country of under 20 million people.

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Pro-Palestinian activists attend a charity concert to fund hospitals in Gaza and West Bank, in Santiago, Chile October 25, 2023.—Reuters
Pro-Palestinian activists attend a charity concert to fund hospitals in Gaza and West Bank, in Santiago, Chile October 25, 2023.—Reuters

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