We, the undersigned, call on the Philippine government—particularly President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.—to support the establishment of a Palestinian Cultural and Community Center in Siargao, alongside a Jewish Cultural Center, as a bold step toward promoting peace, coexistence, and mutual understanding.

Across the world and in the Philippines, many voices continue to echo the call of “Free Palestine.” If this call reflects a genuine concern for the Palestinian people, then it must also translate into constructive, peaceful initiatives that foster dialogue rather than deepen division. Establishing a Palestinian center in Siargao—one of the Philippines’ most internationally recognized destinations—offers a unique opportunity to channel advocacy into education, cultural exchange, and reconciliation.

Historical Context Matters

The roots of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict are complex and deeply contested. In 1947, a United Nations partition plan proposed the creation of both a Jewish and an Arab state. While Jewish leaders accepted the plan despite its risks and territorial compromises, Arab leaders rejected it, arguing that the division was unjust. Instead of coexistence, war followed in 1948, initiated by surrounding Arab states. Israel survived, while the Palestinian Arabs were left without a state.

From 1949 to 1967, the Gaza Strip was administered by Egypt, and the West Bank by Jordan. In 1967, after another regional war, Israel gained control of these territories. Over the decades, multiple peace offers were presented to Palestinian leadership—yet each was ultimately rejected for various political and strategic reasons.

In 2005, Israel unilaterally disengaged from Gaza, removing all Jewish settlements and withdrawing its military presence. Many hoped this would open a path toward development and self-governance. Instead, Gaza became heavily militarized under Hamas, with extensive tunnel networks and repeated cycles of violence. One of the most tragic recent escalations involved Hamas’ attacks on Israeli civilians and other nationalities, including those attending a music festival, resulting in widespread condemnation and loss of innocent lives.

Regional and Political Realities

The Palestinian refugee issue has often involved serious security, political, and stability challenges for host countries.

In Jordan and Lebanon, tensions with armed factions escalated into conflict and long-term instability. In Kuwait, political fallout during the Gulf War led to the mass departure of Palestinians. Egypt continues to enforce strict border controls with Gaza due to security concerns.

In Syria and Iraq, Palestinian communities were caught in wider conflicts, resulting in repeated displacement and humanitarian crises. Across Gulf states, Palestinians are generally not granted permanent residency, reflecting ongoing caution. Even supportive countries like Malaysia have avoided large-scale resettlement.

The Philippine Role

The Philippines officially recognizes Palestine as a non-member observer entity in the United Nations, along with the State of Israel as a sovereign country, and has historically supported participation in international forums. At the same time, the Philippines has a proud humanitarian tradition.

The country has welcomed refugees in times of crisis—most notably Jewish refugees fleeing Nazi persecution, Vietnamese “boat people” escaping war, Rohingya Muslims fleeing violence, and individuals displaced by recent geopolitical conflicts, including Russian nationals seeking refuge. This legacy reflects a national identity rooted in compassion and solidarity.

If the Philippines has opened its doors to refugees in the past, why not extend the same compassion to Palestinian refugees today—many of whom remain stateless and vulnerable—while the international community continues to seek a long-term resolution to the decades-long conflict in the Middle East?

In fact, given that many Filipinos have expressed support through calls to “Free Palestine,” providing humanitarian refuge to Palestinian civilians can be seen as a concrete and meaningful way to align advocacy with real-world action and support.

The Philippines can once again rise to the occasion by positioning itself as a safe haven—not just symbolically, but concretely—for those in need.

Our Call to Action

We urge the Philippine government to:

Grant permits for the establishment of a Palestinian Cultural and Community Center in Siargao.
Encourage the parallel creation of a Jewish Cultural Center to promote dialogue, education, and mutual understanding.
Explore pathways to accept Palestinian refugees on humanitarian grounds while ensuring proper coordination with international bodies.
Affirm the Philippines as a safe haven for ALL REFUGEES, consistent with its humanitarian legacy.
Our Principles

The Philippines is founded on democratic values, including:

The constitutional separation of church and state
Freedom of religion for both citizens and foreigners
A long-standing openness to people of all nationalities and backgrounds
Creating spaces for both Palestinian and Jewish communities to share their culture and narratives aligns with these principles and strengthens our identity as a nation that values peace and inclusivity.

Conclusion

If we truly believe in peace, then we must invest in it. A Palestinian Center in Siargao—alongside a Jewish Center—can serve as a symbol of hope, a place for education, and a platform for dialogue.

Let Siargao not only be a paradise for tourists, but also a beacon for coexistence.

This initiative is for ALL TOURISTS and practitioners of ANY RELIGION.

The Philippines has the opportunity to stand not just as a destination, but as a sanctuary—for dialogue, for coexistence, and for ALL REFUGEES.

(from a concerned Filipino with grammar and petition format corrected by ChatGPT. Link to the petition in the comments)

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