When courtesy isn't courteous enough

October 7, 2023, drastically altered Middle Eastern politics and, in a striking parallel, it now highlights divisions within the Philippine opposition.

On the exact anniversary of the Hamas-led attack on Israel, the Naga City Tourism Facebook page posted photos of Israeli Ambassador to the Philippines Dana Kursh visiting Naga City, Camarines Sur—the hometown of former Vice President and current Naga City Mayor Leni Robredo.

The visit left many of Robredo’s supporters scratching their heads, raising eyebrows, or burying their faces in their hands.

“What is the meaning of this?”

Disapproval quickly mounted among supporters who condemned the decision to welcome the Israeli envoy, citing the ongoing crisis and humanitarian toll in Gaza. Many felt that receiving the ambassador sent the wrong signal at a time when global calls were mounting for an end to the conflict and the protection of women and children affected by the warfare.

The sentiment spread rapidly across social media. Labor leader and 2022 presidential candidate Ka Leody de Guzman weighed in on the visit.

“Kulay Rosas ang Tel Aviv,” he posted.

In a subsequent statement, he added: “Malinaw ang ating tindig. Tayo ay kontra sa ginagawang genocide ng Israel sa Palestine. #FreePalestine.”

While public criticism and democratic expression are vital, it is important to distinguish between standard diplomatic protocol and an endorsement of a foreign nation’s military policy.

Ambassador Kursh’s visit to the Naga City Hall was a formal courtesy call, a routine administrative protocol extended to visiting foreign diplomats.

Furthermore, engaging in dialogue does not equal alignment. There are still many reasons for good diplomatic ties between the Philippines and Israel. In fact, the country remains home to thousands of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and a growing community of Filipino families.

During the visit, Mayor Robredo fulfilled her role as host by accompanying the envoy to the Museo ni Jesse Robredo to share the late DILG Secretary's legacy of good governance, followed by stops at local cultural landmarks like the Huna Huna Art Space. Hosting a visitor and showcasing a city’s history is an act of civic hospitality, not an endorsement of international warfare.

As one commenter on a Naga City Tourism post noted: “And for me, standing for human rights should not depend on who the people involved are. Support does not mean silence. Criticism does not mean hatred.”

Regardless of political color, this online criticism should serve as a reminder that constructive discourse is essential for a healthy democracy. People can hold firm to one's principles and fight for peace without losing sight of the practical duties that keep public institutions functioning.