That Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte is a controversial figure is not in doubt. Whether a man who once likened himself to Hitler with promise to kill millions of drug dealers and joked about raping women should be a welcome guest in Israel is certainly a legitimate debate to be had.
Most visiting dignitaries from relatively minor countries get little to no coverage in the mainstream international press. However, it comes as little surprise that some media have focused on Duterte’s Israel trip given the potential for negatively associating such a contentious figure with Israel’s own leadership.
Hence The Independent‘s headline:
But was there really a ‘blossoming friendship’ between Netanyahu and Duterte?
According to The Independent’s own story (emphasis added):
Despite the many controversies, on Monday Mr Netanyahu highlighted the two country’s historical friendship, including the Philippines’ decision to vote in favour of Israel’s establishment in 1947, becoming the only Asian country to do so.
“We remember our friends and that friendship has blossomed over the years and especially over the last few years,” Mr Netanyahu said, after signing three agreements on trade, science and care-giving.
We pointed out to The Independent that Netanyahu was, in fact, referring to the friendship between Israel and the Philippines and not the personal relationship between the two leaders. As a result, the headline has been amended to more accurately reflect this.
Thank you to The Independent for correcting the error.
Featured image: Photo by Marc Israel Sellem/POOL
© Divuach Ne’eman R”A, 2025
