MANILA, Philippines- Mariing kinondena ni Senador Loren Legarda ang plano ni US President Donald Trump na angkinin ang Gaza strip kabilang ang relokasyon ng libo-libong Palestinians sa kalapit na mga bansa tulad ng Jordan at Egypt.
Sinabi ni Legarda na dapat magkaisa ang buong mundo na ibasura ang plano ni Trump na pawang nakababahala at hindi katanggap-tanggap.
Inihayag ito ni Trump sa ginanap na joint press conference kasama si Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu nitong Feb. 4, 2025.
“It is deeply troubling and unacceptable that, after enduring 15 harrowing months of violence, and decades of continued oppression, Palestinians are now clinging on to the last fragments of their destroyed homes in Gaza face the cruel prospect of forced displacement,” ani Legarda.
“It is inconceivable that, in the 21st century, we are witnessing proposals for the mass expulsion of an entire population, effectively erasing them from their homeland, stripping away their identity, and reducing them to permanent refugees. Such an act is not only unconscionable but echoes the darkest chapters of history,” ayon pa sa senador.
Ipinahayag ni Trump ang plano ilang linggo matapos ideklara ang ceasefire at hostage-release deal na isinagawa sa pagitan ng Israel at sa Palestinian group Hamas, kasunod na walang humpay na sigalot na nagresulta ng pagkasira sa Gaza na ikinamatay ng mahigit 62,000 Palestinians.
Ayon kay Trump, magkakaroon ang US ang “long-term ownership” sa Gaza at bubuhayin ito bilang “Riviera of the Middle East” kung saan maninirahan ang “world’s people.”
Sinabi ni Legarda na mahigit 92 porsyento ng kabahayan ang nasira kabilang ang kritikal na imprastraktura tulad ng patubig at sistemang elektrikal, pagamutan, paaralan, mosque, simbahan at cultural landmarks sa Gaza.
Iginiit ng Senado na: “Gaza is not a token to be owned, traded, or negotiated away.”
“It belongs to the Palestinian people, and it must remain theirs. To suggest otherwise, under the pretext of redevelopment, is a grave injustice that must not be tolerated. Any efforts to rebuild Gaza must make it unequivocally clear that the Palestinians will remain on their land,” aniya.
Tinukoy niya na isang lantarang paglabag ang plano ni Trump sa pangunahing prinsipyo ng international law. ”It covers the prohibition against the annexation of territory by force and the forcible resettlement of populations in occupied territories, which often entails conditions that attack the civilian population, potentially amounting to crimes against humanity. “
“What catastrophic consequences might follow if we allow such brazen violations of international law to continue unchallenged, now reaching unprecedented levels? I simply cannot remain silent on this matter because indifference will only encourage other nations to pursue territorial expansion through aggression without fear of accountability.”
“Silence will normalize this, and I will not be complicit. International law exists precisely to prevent such transgressions and safeguard global stability,” giit pa ni Legarda.
Aniya, dapat ibasura ng international community na kabahagi ang Pilipinas, nang walang reserbasyon, sa anumang panukala na susulpot kahit sa bahagyang anino ng paglilinis etniko.
“Regardless of whether Trump’s remarks were made in earnest or as political posturing, they carry dangerous implications that the international community should not ignore,” giit ni Legarda.
Aniya, dapat may agarang diplomatikong pagkilos upang tugunan ang sitwasyon at muling pasiglahin ang pangako ng buong mundo sa katarungan at karapatang-pantao.
“While such actions clearly constitute violations of international law, the pressing question remains: who will step in to prevent them? We must focus on meaningful, sustainable solutions that pave the way for a just and stable future, grounded in the principles of international law,” ani Legarda. Ernie Reyes
