DFA: Yes, PH delegation joined walkout during Netanyahu’s UN speech

DFA spokesperson Analyn Ratonel says the Philippines takes part in a 'call for all parties to desist from unilateral actions that erode the conditions of peace and undermine the visibility of a future Palestine state'

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines joined dozens of delegations that walked out of the United Nations General Assembly hall during Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s speech on Thursday, September 24, in New York, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said.

“Yes, the Philippines joined the walk out, in global solidarity for peace in the Middle East and the call for all parties to desist from unilateral actions that erode the conditions of peace and undermine the visibility of a future Palestine state,” DFA spokesperson Analyn Ratonel told Rappler on Sunday, September 27.

Reports showed that several delegates left the UN hall as Netanyahu took the podium — in protest over Israel’s actions in Gaza and the occupied West Bank.

Netanyahu continued his address to a largely emptied chamber, where he defended Israel’s military operations and rejected accusations that Israel was committing genocide in Gaza. He also took aim at New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani, Western European leaders, Qatar, and Turkey, accusing them of backing or spreading what he described as false and hostile claims against Israel.

The walkout came as international scrutiny of Israel’s policies in the Palestinian territories intensified. A September 24 UN report highlighted settler violence, settlement expansion, displacement, and movement restrictions that continued to undermine prospects for a viable Palestinian state.

One focus has been Israel’s E1 settlement plan in the occupied West Bank. UN Secretary-General António Guterres said that advancing the E1 plan would deal a “deathblow” to the prospect of a contiguous and viable Palestinian state.

The DFA said the Philippines remains concerned about Israel’s actions in both Gaza and the West Bank.

“These actions are detrimental to finding a just, lasting and comprehensive solution to the Middle East conflict,” Ratonel said. “The Philippines has always supported the two-state solution as the viable path to peace in the region.” – Rappler.com