On the occasion today of the 123rd Anniversary of Philippine Independence Day, the Philippines-Palestine Friendship Association, together with freedom loving people in the Philippines, are holding a protest rally in front of the Israeli Embassy to condemn Israel’s continuing attacks, human rights violation and war crimes against the people of Palestine.
The Israeli government’s recent attacks on Gaza has killed at least 242 Palestinians, including 66 children and 38 women, four of whom were pregnant, according to the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (UN OHCHR). Over all, the assaults have resulted in brazen violence and repression, including the deaths of hundreds of civilians including children as well as the arrests of activists, protesters, and journalists, and the destruction of schools, homes, press offices, and even hospitals and medical facilities in Israeli air strikes — all amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
While Israel and Palestinian armed groups have entered a ceasefire, which took effect on May 21, Israel’s campaign of repression against Palestinians continues unabated. Since 1948, the Israeli government, which does not stand alone but is backed by over $3.8 billion in U.S. military aid annually, has effectively imprisoned Palestinians in their own homeland, stripped them of their rights and murdered them with impunity. Palestinians in exile and diaspora have been denied their right to return to Palestine for over 73 years; yet they continue to struggle, facing political repression, criminalization, deportation and imprisonment.
PPFA expresses its support for the UN Human Rights (HRC) resolution establishing a permanent commission of inquiry into Israel’s violations of Palestinian rights in all the territory under its control. We also support the urgent call for an international and independent investigation to hold Israel to account for its human rights violations and war crimes against Palestinians, including the United States’ complicity in these crimes by providing arms and military aid.
Above all, we affirm our unconditional support for the Palestinian people, utilizing all forms of struggle to resist US-Israeli colonization and to fight for self-determination, people’s rights, and the attainment of just and lasting peace. We also affirm their right of return.
As we call on the United States and China to get their hands off the Philippines, we call on Israel and the United States to end their occupation of Palestine.
Free Palestine!
End occupation!
Free all political prisoners!
Long live international solidarity!
For additional information, please contact:
Alan Rey Sarte 0951 384 9966 PPFA Secretariat
Israel Embassy June 12 2021 (Photos by Carlo Manalansan/Bulatlat)
Philippines-Palestine Friendship Association 