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It is impossible not to be disturbed by the daily dose of heartbreaking news, especially photos and videos, about the attacks on Gaza and the West Bank, including hospitals, refugee centers and houses of worship.
It would seem that only those with hearts of stone (or having a profit motive for arms sales) would allow the situation to go unchallenged or worse justify it as “necessary.”
The world’s sense of outrage could be seen in mammoth rallies in Jakarta, London, New York and other major cities. Even during football matches, support for Palestine is expressed with such fervor, color and devotion.
This weekend, it will be Manila’s turn to express its indignation over the insane acts of violence being suffered by Palestinians in their native Gaza and West Bank, or the “Occupied Palestinian Territories.”
With the legendary Manila Bay as backdrop, Filipinos from different faiths, creeds, persuasions, age and gender are set to hold a “March for a Just Peace in Palestine” today, Nov. 25 at 4 p.m. from Rizal Park to the Cultural Center of the Philippines grounds.
In an open letter of invitation, organizers said: “Through this act of solidarity, we are calling for a stop to the genocide and for a just peace in Palestine. We support calls for a ceasefire and the lifting of the siege of Gaza so that much needed humanitarian aid and services can freely enter and reach its residents. We likewise call on all parties to seriously address the legitimate grievances of the Palestinian people against the unjust colonization and occupation of their lands.”
The latter lamented that “For more than a month now, Israel has waged a brutal war against the Palestinian people living in Gaza. We have seen in real-time the non-stop bombings and air strikes, including that of hospitals and refugee camps, the denial of humanitarian aid and basic services like electricity, water, internet communications, fuel and even food.”
Among the signatories to the letter are: House Assistant Majority Leader and Lanao del Sur Representative Zia Alonto Adiong; Philippines-Palestine Friendship Association President Dr. Delen de la Paz; Sheika Caballes of the Filipino-Palestinian Community; Moro Consensus Group Chair Drieza Lininding; Ecumenical Bishops Forums Co-Chairs Bishop Ciriaco Francisco and Bishop Emelyn Gasco Dacuycuy; University of the Philippines Visayas Chancellor Dr. Clement Camposano; One Billion Rising Director Monique Wilson; Bagong Alyansang Makabayan President Renato Reyes Jr.; Prof. Alzad T. Sattar of the UP Institute of Islamic Studies; Fr. Daniel Franklin Pilario of Adamson University; Prof. Maria Luisa Torres Reyes of University of Santo Tomas; Prof. Carlos Piocos of De La Salle University; Prof. Oscar Campomanes of Ateneo de Manila University; and Prof. Sol Iglesias of the UP Political Science Department.
There have been mass actions in front of the Israeli and American embassies in Metro Manila. Meanwhile, thousands have also demonstrated in successive mass actions in support of Palestine in Marawi (Oct. 10 and 19), Cagayan de Oro (Oct. 22), Cotabato (Oct. 16 and Nov. 18) and Isabela City, Basilan (Nov. 19).
Charges of anti-semitism cannot stick to the people of the Philippines. The protests for Palestine in fact affirm our tradition of aiding oppressed peoples, our friendship with all countries, and our adherence to international humanitarian law.
We have millions working and living abroad. In addition, we have a long history of welcoming Russians, Spaniards, Jews, Chinese, Vietnamese, Iranians, East Timorese and the Rohingya fleeing from persecution.
“The UN Refugee Agency, has long lauded the Philippines for its strong humanitarian tradition,” according to a 2017 writeup on the UN High Commissioner for Refugees.
The agency’s country chief Yasser Saad explained: “At a time when expressions of solidarity are becoming rare, at a time when inward-looking, security-focused policies become dominant, Filipinos remain a beacon of hope and humanitarian spirit.”
Although we have our own big troubles, we can still count on our huge capacity for empathy and our big heart for solidarity. While a few countries prioritize today their military-industrial complexes, we join a majority of countries calling for a ceasefire and the entry of aid in Gaza.
The “March for a Just Peace in Palestine” is a chance for us to raise high that beacon of hope anew, in our part of the world for another part of the world that desperately needs it.
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Today, Nov. 25, is National Consciousness Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and Children and International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.