Palestinians Mourn Chavez
Following the death of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, Palestinian groups of all affiliations have offered their condolences for a man who championed their cause, writes Hazem Balousha.
The Palestinians loved Hugo Chavez because he loved them. They loved him for providing them with political support and for outwardly opposing US and Israeli policy. The geographical distance between Palestine and Venezuela has limited the Palestinians’ knowledge of their great benefactor’s home country to only what they have seen on television, but their admiration for him is genuine nonetheless.
Despite the many political and personal rifts dividing them, Palestinians of all backgrounds were united in their sorrow over the Venezuelan leader's death. They considered his passing a great loss for the Palestinian cause, which has never had a supporter that matched Chavez.
