PH reaffirms partnership, solidarity with Palestine’s goal of peace

The Philippines on Tuesday reaffirmed its support for a two-state solution to resolve the Palestinian and Israeli conflict and stressed that it stands in solidarity with Palestine in their goal to achieve peace and prosperity.

“The Philippines proudly joins the international community in commemorating the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian people. The Philippines’ support for the two-state solution has never wavered, and we firmly believe that genuine and enduring peace would not prevail in the Middle East without the establishment of an independent and viable Palestinian State,” said Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Migration Affairs Leo Herrera-Lim.

“I think it’s an unquestionable stand of the Philippines ever since we recognized the two-state solution… During the bilateral meeting, both sides agreed that it is high time for our countries to forge more robust and practical cooperation in areas of mutual interest,” he added during the observance of the Palestine National Day and International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People in Makati City on Tuesday.

Herrera-Lim cited possible partnerships in consular cooperation, higher education, labor cooperation, technical and vocational education, and a Memorandum of Understanding on Political Consultation for stronger bilateral ties.

The Philippines is among several countries that voted to recognize Palestine as a state during the United Nations General Assembly in New York in September.

Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Theresa Lazaro, in her address at the UN General Assembly, then urged for an end to the suffering in Gaza and said a two-state solution “is the only viable diplomatic solution for sustainable peace.”

However, Israel said pushing for Palestinian statehood would be a “mistake” that “will destabilize the region” and would make it “harder to get to the peace.”

At Tuesday’s event, Senate committee on cultural communities and Muslim affairs chair Senator Robin Padilla said Filipinos must pay attention and stand in solidarity with the Palestinian people.

Although the Philippines voted in support of the two-state policy, Filipinos must unite in calling for awareness on what is happening in Palestine, Padilla said.

“Usapin po ito ng pagiging tao… Hindi po ito basta gera, ito po ay genocide na. Alam kong meron po tayong sariling problema dito sa ating bayan pero hindi po dapat mawala sa ating puso na meron pang ibang tao na nangangailangan ng tulong. May mas mahirap po sa ating dinadanas, at dito po natin mapapakita na tayo po ay nakikiisa sa buong daigdig bilang miyembro ng United Nations,” he said.

(This is about being human… This not just war, but genocide. I know we all have our own problems in our country but our hearts should not forget the fact that other people still need our help. There are people who experience worse hardships, and this is where we can show that we are one with the world as a member of the United Nations.)

“Sana po bigyan niyo po ng atensyon ang nangyayare sa Palestine. Ito po ay hindi usapin ng religion. May miskonsepsyon na sinasabi na problema lang [ito] ng Muslim [pero] hindi po totoo yan… Ito po ay usapin ng mga tao. Kailangan po makapasok ng mga aid diyan sa mga lugar na yan para ang mga taong magumpisa nang makabangon,” Padilla added.

(I hope you can give attention to what’s happening in Palestine. This is not just about religion. There’s a misconception that [this is just] a Muslim problem [but] that’s not true… This is a humanitarian concern. Aid must be allowed to enter these areas so that the people can recover.)

Palestinian Ambassador to the Philippines Mounir Y.K. Anastas said there were no celebratory ceremonies during the Palestinian National Day as their problems are not yet over.

“You will notice that today, there is no wine. Unfortunately, there is no bouquet catching… All of this is because of the bad situation in Palestine. The ceasefire is a thing that we appreciate but it is fragile. The problems are not over,” he shared.

United Nations International Labour Organization (ILO) Country Director Khalid Hassan stressed that the tragic events in Palestine underscored the urgent need for a just and lasting solution for peace.

He said the current ceasefire between Israel and Hamas is an opportunity to secure a more peaceful future between the two states.

“Nothing justifies the 7th October attacks of Hamas and taking hostages. Equally, nothing justifies the collective punishment of the Palestinians. These principles must continue to guide the moral compass of the international community. Today, this event takes place at the fragile ceasefire… After two years of devastating conflict, the world is faced with the narrow but real opportunity to close the painful chapter and steer the course forward to a more just, secure future for both peoples,” said Hassan.

“The road ahead demands political results, substantial resources, and unified support of the international community… United Nations remains steadfast in its commitment to all efforts and uphold peace, protect human dignity and will [for] a more hopeful future for the people of Palestine and Israel,” he added.

Israel and Hamas had agreed to a ceasefire and hostage exchange deal beginning Oct. 10, halting a two-year bloody war that had long disrupted peace in the Middle East.

The ceasefire was the first phase in US President Donald Trump’s 20-point framework to end the war in Palestine.

The Gaza war sparked with a series of attacks led by Hamas on Oct. 7, 2023, which killed more than 1,200 people, including four Filipinos.

This led to the deaths of more than 67,000 Palestinians who were killed in bombings of hospitals, universities, residential neighborhoods and refugee camps in Gaza.

In October, Israeli Ambassador to the Philippines Dana Kursh said the only lasting solution to the decades-long conflict in the Middle East is peace between Israel and Palestine. — JMA, GMA Integrated News