Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s visit in Israel spells a dangerous future for young people in both countries. Duterte is not a friend of the Israeli people as he admires Adolf Hitler and takes inspiration from the Holocaust for his killing policy in the Philippines. That is why inaugurating a memorial commemorating the rescue of Jews by the Philippine during World War 2, is insincere, after what Duerte has been saying about Hitler.

Moreover, It is a disgrace that he is received by the right-wing, violent, government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. One of the aims of the meeting is selling weapons to Duterte’s cruel regime, which is a crime. Israel shouldn’t cooperate with enabling atrocities around the world, selling weapons to dictators that use them irresponsibly and against their own people.

Duterte’s visit to Israel only spoiled the history of solidarity between the people of Israel and the Philippines. Akbayan Youth and Young Meretz denounce Duterte’s visit to Israel and call on the government to cancel all meetings and deals with his government.