Israel’s Ambassador to the Philippines, Ilan Fluss, has expressed concern over what he describes as a sharp rise in antisemitic attitudes among Filipinos over the past decade. Speaking at the International Holocaust Remembrance Day event at the National Museum in Manila, Fluss cited data from the US-based Anti-Defamation League (ADL), claiming that 42 percent of Filipinos now exhibit antisemitic views, a significant jump from just 3 percent in 2014.
“These figures are alarming, and we cannot simply watch as this hateful ideology spreads,” Fluss was quoted as saying by Inquirer.net report, although he did not specify whether he had personally observed such sentiments in the Philippines.
The ambassador did not provide specific examples of antisemitic attitudes in the country but suggested that the increase was part of a global trend, which he linked to the October 7, 2023, attacks by Hamas and Hezbollah in Israel. According to the ADL, antisemitism has surged worldwide, with reported increases of 360 percent in the United States, 733 percent in Canada, and over 400 percent in Europe and Australia.
The Philippines, known for its historically friendly ties with Israel, has seen pro-Palestinian demonstrations, including a large rally in Cotabato City in October 2023, protesting the destruction in Gaza.
At the event, Fluss thanked Education Secretary Sonny Angara for partnering with the Israeli Embassy to promote Holocaust education. “Holocaust remembrance is not just about looking back: it is a commitment to confronting hatred, denial, and distortion,” he said.
