PH embassy won't move to Jerusalem — DFA

The Philippine embassy in Tel Aviv, Israel said it has not received instructions to move to Jerusalem." Wala pong announcement na ililipat ang Embassy (There is no announcement that the embassy would be transferred)," the embassy replied when asked to confirm reports that President Duterte directed the foreign ministry to discuss the issue.

Israeli news sites said as

United States President Donald Trump prepares to recognize Jerusalem as capital of Israel, the Philippines and an unnamed Eastern European country reportedly contacted the Israel government to discuss the matter.

In a statement, the Department of Foreign Affairs said, “the Philippines has always supported the policy of two states for two peoples as a long-term solution to the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians."

This is consistent with the country's vote in favor of the Partition Plan for Palestine in the United Nations in 1947, it added.

The UN General Assembly on November 29, 1947 adopted resolution 181 (II), which partitioned Palestine into an Arab State and a Jewish State, eventually leading to the establishment of Israel as the Jewish state.

The partition plan, a detailed fourpart document attached to the resolution provides that Jerusalem is to be administered by the United Nations Trusteeship Council.

After Trump recognized Jerusalem capital of Israel on Dec. 6, UN Secretary-General AntónioGuterres underscored there is no alternative to the two-state solution and that Jerusalem is an issue that must be resolved through direct negotiations between the parties.

He reiterated the position against "unilateral measures" that would jeopardize the prospect of peace for Israelis and Palestinians.

In a statement, Guterres said he said it is only by realizing the vision of two states “living side-by-side in peace, security and mutual recognition, with Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and Palestine, and all final status issues resolved permanently through negotiations,” that the legitimate aspirations of both peoples will be achieved. (PNA)