The Philippines joined dozens of international delegations that walked out of the United Nations General Assembly hall as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu began his address on Sept. 24, with the Department of Foreign Affairs later confirming that Philippine representatives participated in the protest.
DFA spokesperson Analyn Ratonel said the Philippine delegation joined the walkout in what Manila described as solidarity with calls for peace in the Middle East. The department said the action was also intended to reinforce the call for all parties to avoid unilateral measures that could further undermine conditions for peace.
The walkout occurred moments after Netanyahu took the podium during the UN General Assembly’s high-level debate in New York. Video from the session showed large numbers of delegates leaving their seats and exiting the chamber as the Israeli leader prepared to speak, while other representatives remained and some applauded.
The Philippine participation was not immediately clear from footage of the chamber. However, the DFA subsequently confirmed that Filipino delegates were among those who left the hall, ending uncertainty over the country’s position during the episode.
The department linked the decision to broader concerns over the humanitarian situation in Gaza and developments in the occupied Palestinian territories.
The DFA said the Philippines remains deeply concerned about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and specifically cited Israel’s efforts to advance the E1 settlement plan, as well as continued reports of settler violence in the West Bank. Manila said it considers such developments detrimental to efforts toward a lasting political settlement.
The Philippine government also reiterated its longstanding support for a two-state solution, under which Israel and an independent Palestinian state would coexist. The DFA described this framework as the viable path toward peace in the region.
The walkout followed an appeal by the Palestinian Mission to the United Nations for member states to fill the General Assembly chamber before Netanyahu’s speech and then leave collectively when he was introduced. The demonstration therefore involved multiple national delegations rather than the Philippines acting alone.
Netanyahu continued with his address despite the mass departure. He criticized those who left, referring to them as “moral cowards,” while delegates who remained in the chamber listened to his speech.
The episode reflects the continuing diplomatic divisions surrounding Israel’s military campaign in Gaza and the broader Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The United Nations General Assembly has remained a major venue for governments to express positions on the humanitarian crisis, Palestinian statehood and the future of the region.
For Manila, the walkout also represents a visible expression of a position it has continued to articulate through diplomatic channels. The DFA had already issued a statement on Sept. 17 expressing concern over Israel’s push to advance the E1 settlement plan and the rise in settler violence in the West Bank, saying such developments could undermine prospects for peace.
At the same time, the Philippines’ participation in the walkout should be distinguished from any change in formal diplomatic relations. The DFA’s statement framed the action around peace, humanitarian concerns and opposition to measures it believes undermine prospects for a future Palestinian state, rather than announcing a new diplomatic policy toward Israel.
The walkout was also notable because Netanyahu’s recent UN appearances have repeatedly drawn similar protests. Delegates also left the chamber during his 2024 and 2025 General Assembly speeches, making the 2026 episode the third consecutive year in which his address was accompanied by a significant walkout.
The latest incident places the Philippines alongside a larger group of governments using the UN platform to signal concerns over the Gaza conflict and the Israeli-Palestinian peace process.
For Manila, the immediate message is clear: its participation in the walkout is being presented by the DFA as part of its call for peace and support for a two-state framework, while the humanitarian situation in Gaza and developments in the West Bank remain central concerns.
The bigger issue now is how the Philippines will continue balancing its stated support for Palestinian self-determination, humanitarian concerns and the two-state solution with its broader diplomatic relationships as international pressure over the conflict continues to grow.
