Israeli Ambassador to the Philippines Ilan Fluss has raised concerns over what he describes as a surge in antisemitic attitudes in the country.
Citing data from the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), Fluss claimed that antisemitic sentiment among Filipinos rose from 3 percent in 2014 to 42 percent in 2024. However, despite these figures, no major incidents of antisemitic violence or hate crimes have been reported in the Philippines.
“These figures are alarming, and we cannot simply watch as this hateful ideology spreads,” Fluss said during the International Holocaust Remembrance Day event in Manila. However, he did not cite specific incidents of antisemitism in the Philippines or clarify how the ADL measured antisemitic sentiment among Filipinos.
One of the most visible expressions of public sentiment on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict was a large pro-Palestinian rally in Cotabato City in October 2023, where 25,000 Filipinos, mostly from the Muslim-majority region, protested against Israel’s military actions in Gaza.
However, the demonstration focused on condemning civilian casualties rather than expressing antisemitic rhetoric. The protest highlighted concerns over humanitarian issues rather than hostility toward Jewish people.
Fluss Cites Global Trends in Antisemitism
Fluss linked the rise in antisemitic attitudes to global reactions following the October 7, 2023, attacks by Hamas and Hezbollah, which resulted in more than 1,000 Israeli deaths.
He pointed to ADL data showing a sharp increase in antisemitism worldwide, with reported spikes of 360 percent in the United States, 733 percent in Canada, 433 percent in Australia, over 400 percent in Europe, and 442 percent in the United Kingdom.
Despite these statistics, there is no comparable trend of antisemitic incidents in the Philippines.
Philippines Maintains Strong Ties with Israel
The Philippines has historically been a strong ally of Israel, maintaining diplomatic, economic, and labor ties. The country was among the first to support the establishment of Israel in 1947, and thousands of Filipino overseas workers are currently employed in Israel.
Holocaust education remains part of the country’s academic initiatives, with Fluss expressing gratitude to Education Secretary Sonny Angara for partnering with the Israeli Embassy to promote awareness.
“Holocaust remembrance is not just about looking back; it is a commitment to confronting hatred, denial, and distortion. The fight against antisemitism continues today, and we must be unwavering in our resolve, including through education,” Fluss said.
While concerns about antisemitism are valid in many parts of the world, the Philippines has seen no documented cases of antisemitic violence or hate crimes. With no concrete evidence or specific incidents supporting claims of rising antisemitism in the country, the assertion remains largely unverified.
