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PH endorses Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's definition of 'antisemitism'
PH endorses Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's definition of 'antisemitism'
Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. said the Philippines has officially endorsed the official definition of "antisemitism" as prescribed by the Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (HRA) and reaffirmed its commitment to combat racial intolerance.
The HRA defines "antisemitism" as "a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews."
It furthered that, "Rhetorical and physical manifestations of antisemitism are directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, toward Jewish community institutions, and religious facilities."
In a letter to Israel Foreign Minister Yair Lapid, Locsin said the Philippines has consistently stood for humanity, compassion, and solidarity against bigotry, racism, and hate ever since the country opened its door to Jewish refugees in the 1930s.
"These are the same principles that guide us in co-sponsoring several resolutions relevant for Israel at the United Nations (UN) General Assembly," he said.
In a tweet, Locsin said the Philippines stands with decent humanity in endorsing the definition of "antisemitism" as prescribed by the HRA.
"We will complete the circle of human solidarity on this defining issue of good versus pure evil," he said.
The Philippines stands with decent humanity in endorsing the definition of antiSemitism as prescribed by the Holocaust Remembrance Alliance. We will complete the circle of human solidarity on this defining issue of good versus pure evil. pic.twitter.com/63DAQ83kst
— Teddy Locsin Jr. (@teddyboylocsin) February 18, 2022
Meanwhile, Locsin said that, in line with its priorities in the UN under the Culture of Peace agenda, the Philippines reaffirms its commitment to fighting racial intolerance.
" takes this opportunity to reaffirm our deep responsibility to take concrete actions in combating all forms of racial intolerance as a further expression of the high value we accord to our relations with Israel and the Jewish people," he said.
During the commemoration of the International Holocaust Remembrance Day on January 27, the veteran journalist said that all people have the responsibility to remember what he described as a time of unprecedented, horrifying, and abject cruelty.
"We all have a deep responsibility to remember the Holocaust and hold firm to the commitment — never again," he said.
"Although it happens again and again. But never on the same staggering scale, dark design, and unspeakable, relished cruelty," he added.
Locsin said that the Philippines taking in Jews fleeing systematic abuse was the only decent thing to do.
"That decent thing we did was unmatched, indeed it was resisted by other countries in the world. There was no political incentive to do this, especially for a small country as ours in the Pacific," he said.
"We were not yet an independent state but a dependency of a foreign power. It was just the sense of decency that moved Filipinos; which is to say, the sense of humanity we expect as much from ourselves as from others," he added.
According to Locsin, the refuge the Philippines gave to Jews fleeing the Holocaust was a defining moment in their friendship.
"We shall always stand by Israel against any declared purpose or hint of another attempt to repeat its extermination by the barefaced lying denial that it ever happened," he said.