PH delegates joined UN walkout during Netanyahu speech, DFA confirms - GMA Network

The Philippines joined a walkout at the United Nations General Assembly as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu took the stage to deliver his speech on Thursday, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) confirmed Sunday.

DFA spokesperson Analyn Ratonel said the Philippines' participation in the walkout was an expression of solidarity for peace in the Middle East.

“The Philippines joined the walkout in global solidarity for peace in the Middle East and the call for all parties to desist from unilateral actions that erode the conditions for peace,” Ratonel said in a social media update by GMA News reporter Katrina Son.

The DFA said the country remains deeply concerned about the escalating humanitarian crisis in Gaza, Israel's efforts to advance the E1 settlement plan and the continued rise of settler violence in the West Bank.

“The Philippines is deeply concerned about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and notes with alarm Israel’s efforts to advance the E1 settlement plan, and the continued rise of settler violence in the West Bank,” Ratonel said.

“These actions are detrimental to finding a just, lasting and comprehensive solution to the Middle East conflict,” she added.

Ratonel said the Philippines has always supported the two-state solution as a viable path to peace in the region.

During Thursday's General Assembly session, dozens of delegates streamed out of the hall as Netanyahu took the stage to deliver a forceful defense of Israel's actions in the region.

Netanyahu later criticized the officials who staged the protest, calling them “moral cowards.”

The Israeli leader's speech drew a walkout for the third consecutive year, with delegates also leaving the hall during his 2024 and 2025 General Assembly addresses. — MCG, GMA News