SHOTLIST:

SAN SALVADOR, EL SALVADOR (NOV. 27, 2025) (ANADOLU - ACCESS ALL)

1. VARIOUS OF DETAILS FROM NEWLY OPENED PALESTINE MUSEUM IN SAN SALVADOR / VISITORS VISITING MUSEUM

2. SOUNBITE (Spanish), PRESIDENT OF EL SALVADOR PALESTINE ASSOCIATION, SIMAN KHOURY SAYING:

"Believe it or not, the Little Thumb of America is always the first to get ahead, because we're talking about the first and, so far, only Palestinian museum in all of Latin America — including the entire Americas. It’s small, but it has everything, and with all due humility, it’s on par with any museum worldwide.
We started thinking: if there are so many Palestinians in this country, and if each person brought something like the items you see here — irons, a kitchen knife, a musician’s oud — we could begin building a collection. So we started searching and asking everyone who had something from their grandparents’ or great-grandparents’ migration to bring it. We preserve each item in the donor’s name, and if anything is ever misplaced, we make sure it is returned.
Every piece in this museum reflects the daily and political life of Palestinians. During my time here, I’ve tried to collect as many items as possible.
Many people come with great interest — universities, schools, and individuals, even those who are not of Palestinian origin. We’ve had visits from Salvadorans living in Denmark, New York, and Miami — you can’t imagine! People have come from all over the world, from Peru and Venezuela. We were also fortunate to have people like you who saw this place, appreciated it, and helped spread the word.
We also sell hand-embroidered clothing made in Palestine and in refugee camps in Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, and Egypt, so Palestinian women can earn a dignified income. Part of the profits earned by those overseeing this work goes to children suffering in Palestine. This museum is part of the Palestinian resistance; we exist, we work, and we try to help." SAN SALVADOR, EL SALVADOR - NOV. 27: The newly opened Palestine Museum in San Salvador is the first institution of its kind in Latin America, offering an in-depth look at more than 140 years of Palestinian history, traditions and migration to the region.

Established by the Salvadoran Palestinian-Arab community, the museum aims to strengthen cultural and educational ties between Palestine and Latin America. Its creation was supported by experts in anthropology, history and sociology.

Siman Khoury, president of the El Salvador Palestine Association and director of the museum, called the opening a milestone.

“Believe it or not, the Little Thumb of America is always the first to get ahead, because we're talking about the first and, so far, only Palestinian museum in all of Latin America — including the entire Americas. It’s small, but it has everything, and with all due humility, it’s on par with any museum worldwide.”

Khoury said the museum’s collection expanded as community members contributed belongings brought by earlier generations of migrants. Items range from household tools to musical instruments such as the oud, each preserved in the donor’s name.

Every piece, he said, reflects an aspect of daily or political life in Palestine, and the museum has already drawn visitors from universities, schools and abroad.

“We’ve had visits from Salvadorans living in Denmark, New York, and Miami — you can’t imagine! People have come from all over the world, from Peru and Venezuela,” he said.

The museum also sells hand-embroidered clothing made in Palestine and in refugee camps in Syria, Lebanon, Jordan and Egypt, providing income for Palestinian women and support for children affected by conflict.

“This museum is part of the Palestinian resistance; we exist, we work, and we try to help,” Khoury added.