Israel foreign ministry summons Philippine envoy over UNHRC vote

MANILA, Philippines — The Israeli Foreign Ministry summoned the Philippines’ ambassador to Tel Aviv to clarify the country’s vote at the United Nations Human Rights Council favoring an investigation into alleged Israeli war crimes and actions in the Gaza Strip during recent hostilities.

In a statement, the ministry said Ambassador Macairog Alberto was “summoned for clarification discussion at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs following the Philippines’ vote at the Human Rights Council in favor of the establishment of an investigative committee against Israel over events surrounding Operation Guardian of the Walls.”

Gilad Cohen, the Foreign Ministry’s deputy director-general for Asia Pacific, told Alberto that the Philippines’ vote last week was “unacceptable” to Israel and “rewards terrorism.”

“It is unacceptable that a country like the Philippines, which itself endures radical and murderous Islamist terrorism in the south of the country, would support a draft resolution that ignores the Hamas terrorist organization’s war crimes,” Cohen said in a statement. 

He said Israel expects friends such as the Philippines not to support proposals that strengthen terrorism, and to “stand by us during this time.”

The ambassador confirmed there was a discussion with the Israeli side on the UNHRC voting.    

At the Laging Handa briefing yesterday, Alberto said the Philippines was trying to soften the impact of its vote so as not to affect relations with Israel.

“You can be assured that the DFA (Department of Foreign Affairs), the Philippine embassy is doing everything to maintain our good relations,” he added in Filipino.