BAYAN holds protest in front of Israel embassy in Taguig

The Bagong Alyansang Makabayan on Tuesday went near the Israel Embassy in Taguig to protest what it called “genocide” amid the war between Israel and Hamas.

BAYAN said on Facebook that said some security guards and police allegedly tried to stop the marchers but they proceeded with the mobilization.

“Maraming Pilipino ang kaisa sa mga Palestino, kontra sa genocide at kontra sa ginagawa ng gobyerno ng Pilipinas na pagpapakatuta sa United States,” it added.

(Many Filipinos are united with the Palestinians, against the genocide, and against the submission of the Philippine government to the US.)

Sought for comment, Israeli Ambassador to the Philippines Ilan Fluss said Israel had "the right to defend itself on a war imposed on us by Hamas on October 7.

"The right of Israel to defend itself and its citizens against acts of terror is unequivocal and non-negotiable. Every sovereign nation has the inherent duty to protect its citizens, and Israel is no exception," Fluss said in a statement.

"Any attempts to undermine this right are an affront to the principles of self-defense and national security," he added.

Fluss said "the war is with the terrorist organization Hamas, not the Palestinian people."

"Israel is not occupying Gaza and has no plans of occupying Gaza. Unfortunately Hamas is the government of Gaza," Fluss said.

"We demand the immediate release of all hostages - including babies, women, and elderly people - and the dismantling of terror facilities threatening not only the safety and security of Israeli citizens, but also the world, including the Philippines. Hamas is ISIS," he added.

Bayan Secretary General Renato Reyes told GMA News Online that over 500 individuals participated in the protest.

The protest action took place after the Philippines abstained from a United Nations resolution calling for a humanitarian truce and the protection of the civilian population amid the crisis in Gaza.

The UN resolution was passed with 120 votes in favor, 14 no votes, and 45 abstentions.

During the voting, the Permanent Representative of the Philippines to the UN Antonio Lagdameo welcomed the opening of the humanitarian corridor with Egypt and noted the importance of the humanitarian system.

"However, as we would condemn all terrorist attacks, the resolution does not mention nor condemn the terrorist attack of 7 October by Hamas leading to the deaths of innocent civilians, including women and children, as well as Filipinos," he said.

"Therefore, despite commendable efforts of the co-sponsors to improve the original text, for these reasons, my delegation abstained on the resolution," he added.

Palestinian militant group Hamas carried out its deadliest attack in Israel's history on October 7, when gunmen rampaged through Israeli towns.

The brutal surprise attack by Hamas killed 1,400 people. The group also took more than 200 hostages from Israel.

Israel has retaliated with air strikes on Gaza that have razed entire districts.

On Monday, Manila time, Reuters reported that medical authorities in the Gaza Strip said 8,005 Palestinians have been killed in Israel's campaign to obliterate the Iran-backed militants. —NB, GMA Integrated News