Tel Aviv, Israel – The Philippines said it continues to support diplomatic efforts to implement the Gaza peace plan despite Israel’s rejection of the latest US-backed roadmap, urging the parties to resolve their differences through dialogue.
The Department of Foreign Affairs said Manila remains focused on efforts to preserve the ceasefire, ensure that humanitarian aid reaches Gaza and advance Palestinian state-building based on a two-state solution.
“The Philippines notes recent developments regarding the implementation of the Gaza peace plan,” the DFA said in a statement to NewsWatch Plus.
“We continue to support diplomatic efforts to sustain the ceasefire, ensure unimpeded humanitarian access, and advance state-building in Palestine that is anchored on the two-state solution as the only durable path to peace,” it said.
The DFA urged both sides to continue negotiations despite disagreements over how the peace plan should be carried out.
“We urge all parties to resolve outstanding differences over the plan’s implementation through continued dialogue, in good faith and in the interest of the Palestinian and Israeli peoples, who have both endured tremendous suffering from this conflict,” it said.
Israel rejects latest roadmap
The Philippine statement comes after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected the latest 15-point roadmap backed by U.S. President Donald Trump’s Board of Peace.
Netanyahu said Israel would not withdraw its forces from Gaza until Hamas is fully disarmed, putting him at odds with key provisions of the plan and complicating efforts to move the peace process forward.
PH not directly involved in peace plan
Philippine Ambassador to Israel Aileen Mendiola earlier told NewsWatch Plus that Manila is not directly involved in negotiations over the Gaza peace plan but continues to engage separately with both Israel and Palestine.
“For the peace plan for Gaza, the Philippines right now is not involved,” Mendiola said in an interview in Tel Aviv.
“But individually, bilaterally, for example, engagements with Palestine we have, engagements with Israel we have. Both with the hope that we look forward to peace for both sides,” she added.
Mendiola said developments in Gaza and the wider Middle East have direct implications for the Philippines because of the thousands of Filipinos living and working across the region.
“For us, for the Philippines, what we want is peace,” she said.
“One of the bigger considerations that we have is the number of Filipinos we have in the region. Any security situation that would destabilize the peace in the region would also have an impact on our kababayans” she said.
The ambassador said Manila’s position also remains anchored on the creation of separate Israeli and Palestinian states.
The Philippines formally recognized the State of Palestine in 1989 and maintains diplomatic relations with both Palestine and Israel.
