Sixteen years after recognising the State of Palestine, Chile will mark its first official Day of Chilean-Palestinian Friendship and Solidarity on 7th January 2027, following the passage of a new law celebrating the historic ties between the two peoples.
Published in Chile’s Official Gazette on Thursday, 22nd October 2026, Law No. 21,843 officially designates 7 January as an annual day of friendship and solidarity with Palestine. The move also reaffirms Chile’s commitment to Palestinian human rights, going beyond a symbolic celebration of the longstanding relationship between the two countries.
The move goes beyond celebrating the historic friendship between the two peoples. It also reaffirms Chile’s commitment to protecting human rights, particularly those of the Palestinian people, in line with UN principles.
The legislation contains two articles. The first establishes 7th January as the annual day of friendship and solidarity between Chile and Palestine. The second provides for commemorative activities celebrating the relationship between the two peoples, while reaffirming Chile’s commitment to the United Nations’ universal human rights protection system.
“Commemorative activities may be held to celebrate friendship and solidarity between Chile and Palestine, reaffirming Chile’s commitment to UN human rights principles and the rights of the Palestinian people”.
First introduced in January 2024, the proposal later moved to the Senate, where several amendments were made before its approval. It then returned to the Chamber of Deputies for a final vote on 22nd September, where it secured majority support, paving the way for it to become law.
During parliamentary discussions, Senator Vlado Mirosevic Explained his support for the legislation, Mirosevic said: “I voted in favour of this bill because it speaks of something that is not foreign to Chile; it speaks of ourselves and our history.”
He emphasised that Palestinians and their descendants had contributed to Chile’s industrial, social and cultural development, while maintaining enduring connections with their ancestral homeland.
Senator Sergio Gahona similarly described the legislation as more than a symbolic gesture,“Voting on this initiative is not simply about setting a date on the calendar, but about profoundly recognising a community that forms an integral part of the soul of our country,” he told the Senate.
Gahona highlighted the contributions of families originally from Bethlehem, Beit Jala and Beit Sahour to Chile’s economic and social development.
The bill received broad support in Congress, securing 100 votes in the Chamber of Deputies and 30 in the Senate. Congresswoman Carolina Tello welcomed the new law, saying it would provide an opportunity to organise events, bring people together and raise awareness about human rights and respect for international law. “On 7 January, we will be able to hold activities and meetings that highlight the importance of human rights and respect for the international community,” she said.
Tello also expressed hope that the law would help raise awareness of the humanitarian crisis in Palestine and prevent similar tragedies elsewhere. “We are happy, and I hope this initiative will help prevent what we are witnessing in Palestine from happening in other parts of the world,” she said, adding: “No to genocide in Palestine.”
The Palestinian Embassy in Chile also welcomed the new law, describing it as an important milestone in relations between the two countries. In a statement shared on social media, the embassy celebrated the publication of Law No. 21,843 on 22 October, officially designating 7 January as the annual Day of Chilean-Palestinian Friendship and Solidarity.
“This law marks a milestone in relations between Chile and Palestine,” the embassy said, adding that it recognises the shared history and strong bonds between the two peoples.
The embassy said that the new annual commemoration would provide an opportunity to celebrate the longstanding friendship and solidarity between Chile and Palestine.
Why 7th January? The date was not chosen by chance. The date holds special meaning for both Chile and Palestine. On 7th January 2011, Chile officially recognised Palestine as an independent and sovereign state under former President Sebastián Piñera.
According to legislative records from the Library of the National Congress of Chile, commemorating this historic decision was a key aim of the initiative from the beginning, reflecting an important milestone in relations between the two countries.
During Senate discussions, Senator Matías Walker highlighted the significance of the date and reaffirmed Chile’s longstanding support for a peaceful settlement and a two-state solution in line with international resolutions.
