‘Israelis feel that the world is against them’

ISRAELI Ambassador to the Philippines Ilan Fluss said Israelis are insecure about their safety since they felt that the world is “against them” as their existence as a nation has been challenged repeatedly by groups seeking their destruction.

Fluss made the remark Tuesday during a roundtable interview with The Manila Times Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Dante “Klink” Ang 2nd.

He stressed that Israel is “not occupying Gaza.”ENVOY VISITS TMT Israel Ambassador to the Philippines Ilan Fluss talks about the war between his country and Hamas with The Manila Times Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Dante ‘Klink’ Ang 2nd on Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2023. PHOTO MIKE ALQUINTO

The ambassador recalled the October 7 “terror attack” of Hamas militants against a farm settlement in Israel that caught the Jewish state by surprise.

Fluss said that attack changed everything and led to the “murder” of 1,400 people — not just Israelis but also foreigners that included four Filipino workers.

“It’s evil. It’s bad. Hamas called for the murdering of Jews,” he said.

“The Israelis are determined that this can never happen again,” he added.

Fluss said Israel “appreciated very much” President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for his “statement of support” for the Jewish people.

“But on the other hand, you see a lot of voices, a lot of demonstrations [that are] anti Israeli, pro Hamas calling for ‘free Palestine from the river to the sea.’ When you say free Palestine from the river to the sea it means driving the Israelis, Jews from the land. No recognition of Israel,” he said.

“I think maybe one more point is that the atrocities that we saw on October 7 reminded us of one thing — the Holocaust. The last time we see such a big number of casualties was the Holocaust,” Fluss said.

Israel Ambassador to the Philippines Ilan Fluss answers questions from The Manila Times (TMT) Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dante “Klink” Ang 2nd, with Manila Times President and Chief Operating Officer Blanca Mercado, during a round table at the TMT editorial newsroom in Intramuros, Manila, on Nov. 14, 2023. PHOTOS BY MIKE ALQUINTO

Israel Ambassador to the Philippines Ilan Fluss answers questions from The Manila Times (TMT) Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dante “Klink” Ang 2nd, with Manila Times President and Chief Operating Officer Blanca Mercado, during a round table at the TMT editorial newsroom in Intramuros, Manila, on Nov. 14, 2023. PHOTOS BY MIKE ALQUINTO 

“And the Israelis are feeling insecure now. We feel insecure. We think about the holocaust. Many centuries of persecution, combined with wars against Israel since 1948 when the Arabs did not recognize the Jewish entity,” he said.

“So, Israelis feel that the world is against them. The world does not accept the very existence of the State of Israel. Israel’s right to exist is being challenged again and again,” Fluss said.

The envoy said Israel is under threat not just from Hamas from Palestine but also from Hezbollah rebels in Lebanon and Yemen’s Houthi militants, who also wanted to destroy the Jewish state.

“We are responding to protect ourselves. Hamas will never recognize Israel. The Hamas has a charter which calls for the destruction of Israel. Hamas does not want Israel to exist,” Fluss said.

The ambassador said Hamas militant leaders misused donations, financial aid and development assistance extended to the Palestinians by international organizations.

He said donated cement which was supposed to build schools and hospitals was instead used to construct about 500 tunnels and bunkers underground including under schools and hospitals.

“So, it was not used for developing Gaza. It’s easy to say Israel is to blame. But with due respect the one to be blamed in what’s happening in Gaza is Hamas,” Fluss stressed.