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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider PH's pro-Palestine vote in UNHRC should not affect 'excellent' ties with Israel

PH's pro-Palestine vote in UNHRC should not affect 'excellent' ties with Israel

Published Jun 3, 2021 03:16 pm

Malacañang believed that the Philippines' vote favoring a probe into alleged human rights violations and abuses in Gaza should not have anything to do with the country's "excellent" bilateral relations with Israel.

File photo of President Duterte's message in the guest book at the Official Residence of the President in Jerusalem for his meeting with State of Israel President Reuven Rivlin on September 4, 2018. (Malacañang photo)

Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque made the statement after Israel's Foreign Ministry summoned Ambassador Macairog Alberto for a clarification and discussion following the Philippines’ vote at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in favor of the establishment of an investigative committee over events surrounding Operation Guardian of the Walls.

In his press briefing on Thursday, Roque said the country's vote should not have an effect on the Philippines' relations with Israel.

"Ang boto po'ng 'yan sa (That vote in the) UN Human Rights Council should not, in any way, affect our excellent bilateral relations with Israel," he said.

"Wala naman pong kinalaman 'yan doon sa napakalapit na samahan natin with the State of Israel (That has nothing to do with our close ties with the State of Israel)," he further stressed.

Roque explained that despite being the chief architect of foreign policy, President Duterte has left the decision on the vote to the country's delegation to the UN.

He further explained that the Philippines' pro-Palestine vote was similar to its vote for Israel becoming a nation in 1947.

"The President does not micromanage," he said.

"Ang ating boto ay pabor po doon sa tinatawag na karapatan ng mga Palestino na magkaroon ng estado, in the same way na sinuportahan din po natin ang Israel noong binuo ang Israel bilang isang bansa (Our vote is in favor of the Palestinian's right to have their own country, the same way we supported Israel when it became a country)," he added.

Meanwhile, the Palace official said that Israel was one of the countries President Duterte is expecting to lend the Philippines a hand in many aspects.

"Isa sa inaasahan ng Presidente na tumulong, lalong-lalo na sa modernization ng ating hukbong sandatahan ay ang bansa ring Israel (Israel is one of the countries President Duterte is expecting to help us, especially in the modernization of our armed forces)," Roque said.

"Inaayos din po natin ang (We are also working on having a) non-stop flight from Isreal to the Philippines," he added.

Roque likewise noted that Israel was one of President Duterte's favorites among all the countries he visited during his term.

Duterte made a historic visit to Israel in September 2018, making him the first Philippine president to set foot in this middle eastern country.

Israel has been giving the Philippines special preference since 1947 due to its pivotal role in two significant events in its history – the rescue of more than a thousand Jews from Nazi Germany and the Philippines’ vote on the creation of the State of Israel.

However, last week, Israel's ministry’s deputy director-general for the Asia-Pacific Gilad Cohen told Alberto that the Philippines’ vote was "unacceptable to Israel, and constitutes a reward for terrorism."

"It is unacceptable that a country like the Philippines, which itself endures radical and murderous Islamist terrorism in the south of the country, would support a draft resolution that ignores the Hamas terrorist organization’s war crimes," Cohen said.

"Israel expects friends such as the Philippines not to support proposals that strengthen terrorism, and to stand by us during this time," the official added.

Israel's foreign ministry has slammed the UNHRC, calling it a "biased and anti-Israel institution." It also said its decision was "grossly one-sided" and did not mention the Hamas terrorist organization. It also supposedly ignored the 4,300 rockets that were fired at Israeli civilians.

Last week, the UNHRC adopted a resolution launching an investigation into alleged abuses in Palestinian territories and inside Israel amid tension in the region. The Philippines was one of the 24 UNHRC members that voted in favor of the resolution.

Related Tags

Philippines-Israel Harry Roque Israel Malacañang roque Palestine ISRAEL-HAMAS
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