The Skin of Palestine

Chile is home to the largest Palestinian community outside the Arab world, comprising around 400,000 individuals. Despite facing discrimination in the early 20th century, a group of young Palestinians formed a soccer team, Palestino, in 1916 as a means of integrating into Chilean society. Over the years, the team evolved into a symbol for both the Palestinian diaspora and the people in Palestine. Today, Palestino's players are predominantly Chilean, showcasing the success of using sports, particularly soccer, as a bridge to foster peaceful coexistence. The team's impact extends beyond the sporting realm, serving as a representation of Palestinian identity on a global stage.

This project was part of a series produced by the Magnum Foundation and their Human Rights Fellows. If you are interested in more ideas about how communities are helping each other in clever ways, click HERE.