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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Israel has right to defend itself, envoy tells protesters

Israel has right to defend itself, envoy tells protesters

Published Oct 31, 2023 01:33 pm

Israel's envoy to Manila has defended the Israeli government’s actions in war-torn Gaza after several Filipinos held a pro-Palestinian rally in front of the Israel embassy in Taguig City.

Ambassador Ilan Fluss on Tuesday night, Oct. 31, said Israel "has the right to defend itself on a war" that he said was imposed on them by Hamas on Oct. 7.
 

"The right of Israel to defend itself and its citizens against acts of terror is unequivocal and non-negotiable. Every sovereign nation has the inherent duty to protect its citizens, and Israel is no exception,” he said.

Fluss said any attempt to undermine such right is “an affront to the principles of self-defense and national security.”

His statement came after various groups expressed their backing to Palestine and pushed for its liberation amid the Israel-Hamas war.

“Free Palestine! End US-Israeli Occupation,” one of the protest banners read.

Fluss then called for the immediate and unconditional release of the Palestinian people and all of the hostages from the clutches of Hamas.

He said the group, which currently governs Gaza, “has repeatedly demonstrated its disregard for human rights, is using its citizens as human shields and has been responsible for countless acts of violence against innocent civilians, including Filipinos.”

“The international community must take decisive action against Hamas, designating it as a terror organization to disrupt its funding, which comes primarily from Iran,” Fluss said.

“The founding charter of Hamas, advocating for Israel's destruction and the murder of all Jews from all over the world, aligns with a modern Nazi regime,” he added

Fluss maintained that Israel is not occupying Gaza, and that Hamas has been rejecting peace negotiations and is perpetuating “an endless cycle of violence and bloodshed.”

“The war is with the terrorist organization Hamas, not the Palestinian people,” he said.

“Hamas is ISIS,” he added.

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Ilan Fluss protesters Israel-Hamas war
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