By Francessca S. Abalos
THE Philippines must back its symbolic walkout during Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s address to the 81st United Nations (UN) General Assembly with stronger diplomatic action and consistent policies on Palestine, political analysts said.
“The walkout is consistent with the Philippines’ longstanding commitment to the peace, stability and security of the Middle East region,” Sulpicio M. Confiado, former Philippine ambassador to Egypt and guest lecturer at De La Salle-College of St. Benilde, said in an e-mailed reply to questions.
Sol Dorotea R. Iglesias, a political science professor at the University of the Philippines Diliman, said humanitarian concerns justify the Philippines’ show of solidarity with Palestine, but questioned why Manila had taken so long to join the protest.
Dozens of UN delegates walked out during Mr. Netanyahu’s Sept. 24 address, in which he defended Israeli military operations in Iran, Lebanon and the Palestinian territories, including Gaza and the West Bank. The Philippines joined the protest for the first time.
Ms. Iglesias noted that UN delegations had been boycotting the Israeli leader’s speeches since 2024, when violence in Gaza was more intense.
At least 1,400 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli weapons since an October 2025 ceasefire agreement, Gaza health officials said.
DIPLOMATIC CONSISTENCYMr. Confiado said the walkout reflected Manila’s balanced approach to its relations with Israel, Palestine and other Middle Eastern partners.
“The Philippines responded to the urgent call for global solidarity, urging both parties not to resort to unilateral actions which may be detrimental to a just, sustainable and comprehensive solution to the Middle East [conflict],” he said, reiterating the Department of Foreign Affairs’ (DFA) explanation.
Israel and the Philippines maintain strong partnerships in trade, agriculture, cybersecurity and defense. Manila also signed a memorandum of understanding with Palestine in 2015 to establish mechanisms for cooperation in areas of mutual interest.
Mr. Confiado said Foreign Affairs Secretary Maria Theresa P. Lazaro’s Sept. 26 UN address reaffirmed Manila’s support for Palestinian self-determination and a two-state solution that would allow Israel and Palestine to coexist as independent nations.
The DFA also expressed concern over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and condemned Israel’s E1 settlement project, which seeks to link the Ma’ale Adumim settlement in the occupied West Bank with East Jerusalem.
Ms. Iglesias said Manila had yet to clarify whether its participation in the walkout signaled a broader policy shift or merely reflected growing concern over Israeli settler violence in the West Bank.
She noted that the Philippines had long invoked human rights in its diplomacy, although its application of these principles had been inconsistent.
International criticism of Israel has intensified as public opinion shifts against its military operations in Palestinian territories.
A 2026 Pew Research Center survey showed increasingly unfavorable views of Israel, particularly in European and Muslim-majority countries.
Ms. Iglesias said scrutiny from international legal institutions might have contributed to the growing criticism. The International Criminal Court and International Court of Justice have separately examined allegations involving Israeli actions in Gaza and the Palestinian territories.
She said diplomatic protests would carry little weight without corresponding commitments to free expression and consistent domestic and foreign policies.
“A walkout in New York is one thing, but [what is the point]… if the environment for free speech with regards to Palestine and Israel… is somehow [still] being treated exceptionally?” she asked.
Ms. Iglesias cited Britain as an example of what she described as inconsistent policy, contrasting its leadership’s condemnation of Israeli actions with restrictions affecting pro-Palestinian protesters and campaigners.
She said Philippine foreign policy should reflect public sentiment, particularly Filipinos’ historical identification with Palestine as people who have experienced colonial rule.
“I think that there is a natural sympathy actually that the Philippine government as a post-colonial state would have towards what has been a brutal conflict, with mass violence against civilians in particular — even if the Israeli government disputes this,” she said.
Mr. Confiado said the Philippines would continue engaging Middle Eastern partners through diplomacy and dialogue in pursuit of regional peace and a two-state solution.