Aquino gov’t urged to oppose formation of Palestinian state, membership in UN

MANILA, Philippines – Filipino Christian leaders are opposing the formation of a Palestinian state in which Israel’s West Bank and east Jerusalem would comprise the new territory and have asked the Aquino government to vote against its full membership in the United Nations.

Map shows Israel (left) and the proposed Palestinian state (right) that will cover Israeli-owned territories West Bank and east Jerusalem, which Palestine would like to be its capital. AFP

In separate interviews with Nena Benigno, daughter of the late Press Secretary Teodoro “Teddy man” Benigno and senior writer of 700 Club Asia, who guested Tuesday in Radyo Inquirer 990AM’s “Sa Totooo Lang”; Pastor Erick de Guzman, vice chairman of the Intercessors of the Philippines; and Sister Grace Gupana, vice president and founder of Jerusalem Lifestyle, the three urged the Aquino government to help stop Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas’ campaign to gain full UN membership despite Israeli objections and a promised US veto as the issue of Palestinian statehood takes center stage with world leaders gathering for the opening of the UN General Assembly session.

The Palestinian state would comprise the West Bank and east Jerusalem, which the Palestinians want as their capital. Israel captured both areas in the 1967 Middle East war.

For the interviews, listen to “Sa Totoo Lang” with hosts Kata Inocencio and Alex Tinsay.