WATCH: Fearing it will fuel drug war, Israeli protesters condemn arms sale to Duterte
MANILA, Philippines — A few dozen activists opposed to Israel's arms sales to the Philippines protested Tuesday outside the presidential compound in Jerusalem during the meeting between President Rodrigo Duterte and his Israeli counterpart Reuven Rivlin.
"He (Duterte) came to sign arm deals and we are against it and we are also against the arms that were already sent to the Philippines in the last two years that have been used in what he (Duterte) called the war against drugs," lawyer and human rights activist Eitay Mack said.
"We're protesting against Israel's involvement in the crimes taking place there," he added.
Duterte, who had apologized for comparing himself to Adolf Hitler, visited Israel's Holocaust memorial on Monday and said he hoped the world learned lessons from the "horrific" period in history.
The controversial leader held talks with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on the second of a four-day visit to Israel, with defense deals and other areas of cooperation on the agenda.
Duterte also visited Israel's Holocaust memorial on Monday and said he hoped the world learned lessons from the "horrific" period in history.
All visiting leaders pay their respects at the Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial in Jerusalem, usually without much fanfare.
But his visit to Yad Vashem led to criticism even before it took place due to comments in 2016 comparing himself to Adolf Hitler and other controversial actions, including his internationally condemned drug crackdown that has killed thousands.
"Hitler massacred three million Jews. Now there are three million drug addicts (in the Philippines). I'd be happy to slaughter them," Duterte said then.
Historians say six million Jews died in the Holocaust.
Duterte later apologized and said the comments were aimed at critics who had likened him to the Nazi leader.
'Hitler admirer'
Israeli newspaper Haaretz published an editorial headlined "A Hitler admirer at Yad Vashem," while left-wing politicians questioned why Netanyahu would welcome Duterte with open arms.
Netanyahu "is willing to whitewash an illegitimate leader, who took pride in massacring his citizens and violating human rights, and why?" Tamar Zandberg, head of the leftist Meretz party, wrote on Facebook.
"Because Duterte is willing to support the occupation (of the West Bank)."
Israel's government focused on what it sees as the positive aspects of Duterte's visit, the first by a Philippine leader in more than 60 years of diplomatic ties.
Netanyahu noted the Philippines' support for Israel at the United Nations and said his father had been cared for by a Filipino in his later years, as is the case with many elderly Israelis.
But some didn't view the Philippine leader's visit positively.
"Israel has in the past aligned itself with liberal, democratic nations of the world and unfortunately (it) is taking a turn to align itself with people like Duterte, with people like Orban in Hungary, with people like Duda in Poland and also to a certain extent with that direction in the United States which is also happening with populism, with lack of respect for democracy, with lack of true dialogue, with anarchy," Ilana Kamenka, an Israeli protester, said.
Duterte, speaking alongside Netanyahu ahead of their lunch, said they "share the same passion for peace."
"But we also share the same passion of not allowing our country to be destroyed by those who have the corrupt ideology who knows nothing but to kill and destroy," he said in English.
He thanked Israel for supplying him with unspecified defense equipment that was "critical" in "winning the war"—presumably a reference to his government's battle against jihadists in the city of Marawi last year.
Netanyahu is always on the lookout for allies who will support Israel in international forums, where the country often faces criticism over its occupation of Palestinian territory.
In recent months, he has found common cause with a number of nationalist leaders, including Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban.
The Philippines was among the countries that abstained from a UN General Assembly vote rejecting US President Donald Trump's recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital in December.
It also emerged as a significant new customer in 2017 for Israel, with sales of radar and anti-tank equipment worth $21 million.
Beyond that, the country is an important provider of labor to Israel, where some 28,000 Filipinos live including many working as care providers for the elderly. — Agence France-Presse
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