JERUSALEM: Dozens of Israelis are protesting Philippine President
Rodrigo Duterte’s visit with Israel’s president.
The demonstrators gathered outside President Reuven Rivlin’s residence
Tuesday prior to Duterte’s arrival. Waving Israeli flags and blowing
whistles, they chanted “shame, shame, shame. We will not be silent and
we will not agree to the selling of weapons.”
Israel has sold assault rifles to the Philippines national police force in the
past and a major arms sale is reportedly on the agenda.
Human rights lawyer Itay Mack says the international community will
eventually announce that Duterte is “responsible for crimes against humanity.”
Duterte, the first Philippine president to visit Israel, is known for his profane outbursts and has been accused of committing
human rights abuses in his deadly anti-drug campaign.
He’s generally received a warm welcome.