Malacañang yesterday reaffirmed the Philippines’ support for a two-state solution between Israel and Palestine as it reiterated its call for an enduring, comprehensive, and peaceful solution to the conflict in the Middle East.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro made the statement amid the call of Palestinian Ambassador to the Philippines Mounir Anastas for the Philippines to intervene and use its good relations with Israel to “apply some pressure on Israel in order that Israel respect the humanitarian question in Gaza especially and in the West Bank as well.”
“Ang Pilipinas po ay laging sumusuporta sa Two-State solution. Two independent states na Palestine and Israel na mag-coexist side-by-side, na kinikilala ang kaniya-kaniyang mga borders. Sinusuportahan din po ng pamahalaan ang pangmatagalan at komprehensibong kapayapaan sa Middle East na naaayon sa UN Charter at relevant UN Security Council resolutions.
(“The Philippines has always supported the two-state solution—two independent states, Palestine and Israel—that will coexist side by side, with mutual recognition of their respective borders. The government also supports long-term and comprehensive peace in the Middle East in accordance with the United Nations Charter and Security Council resolutions),” Castro said.
She said the Philippines joined other nations in continuing the call on concerned parties to allow humanitarian access in Gaza.
“Kaya nananawagan din po ang bansa natin para masiguro po na wala sanang tigil—unhampered delivery ng tulong sa mga Palestinian na kaibigan (That’s why the Philippines is calling for unhampered delivery of assistance to our Palestinian friends),” she said.
Asked about Palestine’s request for the Philippines to exert pressure on Israel, Castro deferred the matter to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).
“Patungkol po sa kanyang panukala, i-defer po natin ito sa DFA (Regarding the proposal, we will defer this to the DFA),” she said.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., during the 2nd Asean-Gulf Cooperation Council Summit in Malaysia in May, expressed concern over Israel’s military operations in Gaza which he said has resulted in the “continued rise of the death of civilians, including women and children, as well as exacerbated the dire humanitarian situation on the ground.”
