June 27, 2025
MANILA – Malacañang on Thursday reaffirmed the country’s support for the two-state solution — a proposed framework to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
This came after Palestinian Ambassador to the Philippines Mounir Anastas said it is now timely for the Philippine government to help persuade Israel to resolve the crisis in Gaza, especially since the country is seeking a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council.
At a briefing, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro did not directly respond to Anastas’s statement and said she would defer the matter to the Department of Foreign Affairs.
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She instead said, “Ang Pilipinas po ay laging sumusuporta sa two-state solution. Two independent states na Palestine and Israel na mag-coexist side-by-side, na kinikilala ang kaniya-kaniyang mga borders. Sinusuportahan din po ng pamahalaan ang pangmatagalan at komprehensibong kapayapaan sa Middle East na naaayon sa UN Charter at relevant UN Security Council resolutions.”
(The Philippines has always supported the two-state solution—two independent states, Palestine and Israel, coexisting side by side, with mutual recognition of their respective borders. The government also supports lasting and comprehensive peace in the Middle East in accordance with the UN Charter and relevant UN Security Council resolutions.
“So, kaya po nananawagan din po ang bansa natin, ang ating pamahalaan para masiguro po na wala sanang tigil ‘no, unhampered delivery ng tulong sa mga Palestinian nating mga kaibigan,” she added.
(That’s why our country—our government—is also calling for the unhampered delivery of aid to our Palestinian friends, to ensure that assistance reaches them without interruption.)
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Anastas made the statement in an exclusive interview with GMA Integrated News.
“We hope that since the Philippines has good relations with Israel, is to apply some pressure on Israel in order that Israel respect the humanitarian question in Gaza especially and in the West Bank as well,” he said.
Last January, the DFA reiterated its support for the two-state solution during the 3rd Follow-up Meeting on the Global Alliance for the Implementation of the Two-State Solution held in Oslo.
“The Philippines reiterates its steadfast support for a two-state solution, consistent with past agreements and relevant UN resolutions. Both Israelis and Palestinians deserve a future where their rights, aspirations, and security are recognized and upheld. Our country has never ceased our aid in UNRWA, recognizing the critical role of this agency in delivering life-saving humanitarian aid,” Ambassador to Norway Enrico T. Fos said in the event.
“The Philippines yearns for a Middle East where peace and stability reign, where a diversity of peoples living together in peace, where peoples who have lived in insecurity for several generations, will finally be able to live together in peace and security,” he added.