Why Are Filipinos So Quiet About Palestine?

(photo courtesy of UNWRA)

By: Guillermo Sumbiling

You’ve probably seen the videos on your feed: universities in the U.S. packed with students protesting the war in Gaza. Thousands marching in London, Paris, Tokyo. Influencers, celebrities, even regular people speaking out. And yet, here in the Philippines? Wala masyado.

No rallies. No public statements. No outrage.

For a country that floods timelines with “Pray for…” posts every time tragedy hits somewhere in the world, the silence about Palestine is noticeable—and kind of disturbing. So let’s ask the hard question: why are Filipinos so quiet about the war in Gaza?

1. We don’t really know the story.

Let’s be honest—many Filipinos don’t fully understand what’s happening in Palestine. We didn’t grow up learning about it in school. We rarely see deep dives on the news. What we do know often comes from religious stories: Israel as the “Holy Land,” the chosen people, the land of the Bible. For a largely Christian country like the Philippines, that image is powerful.

But here’s the thing: today’s political Israel is not the same as biblical Israel. And Palestine? For most Filipinos, it’s just a word they hear on the news when there’s a war. The history of displacement, occupation, and daily life under siege—it’s not something we’re taught. So how can we care about something we never fully understood?

2. Most OFWs are in Israel, not Gaza.

Here’s another angle: Over 30,000 Filipinos work in Israel, mostly as caregivers. They take care of elderly Israelis, live in their homes, and are often treated with respect. Naturally, we’re concerned for them. When rockets fall, we worry about our kababayans.

But almost no Filipinos live or work in Gaza. That’s why we don’t hear personal stories about what it’s like there. No “friend of a friend” who saw the bombings, no firsthand accounts that hit close to home. So the pain of Palestinians feels distant—because it literally is.

3. There’s no national conversation.

Have you seen a forum about Palestine at your school? A homily that mentioned Gaza? A politician calling for a ceasefire?

Exactly.

Unlike in Europe or the U.S., where there are vocal communities, strong advocacy groups, and public debates, we don’t have that ecosystem here. There’s barely any conversation. The media covers it, yes—but often just as breaking news, not as an issue worth exploring deeply.

And when something’s not talked about, it’s easy to ignore.

4. Religion, politics, and silence.

For many Filipinos, criticizing Israel feels like crossing a line—either religiously or politically. Some believe that Israel, being the land of Jesus and the Bible, should be supported no matter what. Others are cautious because of our strong ties with the U.S., which backs Israel heavily.

So people say things like, “It’s complicated,” or “We shouldn’t get involved.” But come on—what’s complicated about thousands of civilians, including children, being bombed and starved?

You don’t need a political science degree to see that something’s wrong.

5. We’re non-confrontational.

Culturally, we’re not big on confrontation, especially when it comes to international issues. Most Filipinos tend to focus on what directly affects us: inflation, traffic, politics, local crime. The Israel-Palestine conflict feels far away—emotionally and geographically.

But just because we’re not directly affected doesn’t mean we shouldn’t care.

So what now?

This isn’t about taking sides in a war. This is about caring enough to learn, to ask questions, to understand what’s going on beyond the headlines. This is about human rights.

Filipinos have always shown compassion—whether it’s for typhoon victims, refugees, or war-torn countries. We’ve proven time and again that we have big hearts. But silence in the face of suffering—especially when we can speak out—is not neutrality. It’s complicity.

Maybe it’s time to unlearn some of our old biases. To read more, listen more, and not let fear or unfamiliarity stop us from standing with those who are suffering.

You don’t have to be Muslim.