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October 11, 2026 | 3:40pm
Naga City Mayor Leni Robredo and Israeli Ambassador to the Philippines Dana Kursh on Oct. 5, 2026.
Naga City Tourism via Facebook
MANILA, Philippines — The Liberal Party and Sen. Francis Pangilinan have defended Vice President and now Naga City Mayor Leni Robredo following public criticism of her recent meeting with Israeli Ambassador to the Philippines Dana Kursh.
In separate statements, the LP and Pangilinan acknowledged the public's dismay while urging a fair assessment of the courtesy call.
“Nauunawaan ng Partido Liberal ang pagkabahala at pagkadismaya ng marami kaugnay ng pagbisita ng Embahador ng Israel kay Naga City Mayor Leni Robredo. Sa gitna ng patuloy na pagdurusa ng mga mamamayang Palestino sa Gaza, mahalagang maging sensitibo ang mga opisyal ng pamahalaan sa mensaheng ipinahihiwatig ng kanilang mga pakikipag-ugnayan,” the LP’s October 10 statement read.
(The Liberal Party understands the concern and disappointment of many regarding the Israeli Ambassador's visit to Naga City Mayor Leni Robredo. Amid the continuous suffering of the Palestinian people in Gaza, it is vital for government officials to be sensitive to the message their interactions convey.)
However, the party stressed that receiving foreign diplomats does not equate to endorsing their governments' actions or military policies.
“Walang naipakitang ebidensiya na sa pagtanggap sa embahador ay nagpahayag si Mayor Robredo ng pagsang-ayon sa mga operasyong militar ng Israel sa Gaza. Magkaiba ang pakikipag-ugnayang diplomatiko at pagsuporta sa mga patakaran ng isang pamahalaan,” the LP’s statement read.
(No evidence has been shown that by receiving the ambassador, Mayor Robredo expressed approval of Israel's military operations in Gaza. Diplomatic engagement is distinct from supporting a government's policies.)
Echoing the party's position, Pangilinan emphasized that local and national officials have administrative and diplomatic duties that should not be confused with support for war crimes.
“...Ang pagharap ng mayor sa isang opisyal ng ibang bansa na bumisita sa kanyang nasasakupan ay hindi pag-endorso ng mga gawain nung nasabing bansa at lalong hindi pag-endorso sa genocide,” Pangilinan said.
(A mayor meeting with an official from another country who visits their jurisdiction is not an endorsement of that country's actions, and it is certainly not an endorsement of genocide.)
“Public officials have diplomatic responsibilities. Fulfilling these responsibilities doesn't mean they support the atrocities being committed. We continue to stand for the protection of human rights, especially of civilians, and accountability, including under international law,” he added.
According to reports, Kursh’s courtesy call on Robredo was part of a broader diplomatic trip to the Bicol region.
The meeting, however, drew criticism as it took place amid intense scrutiny of Israel’s military operations and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Critics argued that an official welcome could be perceived as a political or moral endorsement of Israel’s actions.
