Although the Hamas-Israeli issue has split the public’s opinion, it hasn’t had much of an impact on South Asian foreign policy at the moment.
Countries in the region have maintained a business-as-usual approach, reflecting the religious and cultural diversity of ASEAN, while articulating unique, dismissive posts in response to the initial strike on Israeli civilians by Hamases and the planned invasion by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu through the center of Gaza, where 1.1 million people are being urged to flee.
Thailand and the Philippines are examples of a foreign policy balancing work where the growing conflict has led to widespread criticism of assault with some facetious caveats. & nbsp,
For instance, the Philippines denounced violence” against civil populations” but acknowledged Israel’s right to self-defense in the face of external aggression, according to the UN Charter.
With Foreign Minister Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara noting that” Thailand is not condemning any side, because we do not know the truth about the political climate between[ Palestine and Israel ], but we strongly condemn the use of violence ,” Thailand walked an even finer line.
Jewish – Thai relationships
Thailand has long been concerned about the possibility of terrorist attacks from a variety of sources, including Persian organizations seeking to targeted Israelis living in or visiting the land, under its previous totalitarian government. Bangkok is now concerned about the more than 20,000 Thai employees who are crucial to Israel’s agrarian field as well as Thai tourists also present in Israel.
Early this week, 29 Thais — who had one of the largest populations of foreign workers in the nation — were killed, and 18 were captured.
For Jewish – Thai relationships, it’s partially a supply and demand-type relationship, with Thai farm laborers seeking work in parts of the country as Israel is usually at a lack of semi-skilled agricultural labor and it is common for Thais to believe that wages abroad can be considerably higher than at home, evidenced by remittances to families at home.
However, the recent violence has brought some of the oppressive working conditions and low pay to light for many Thai staff. Israel’s present political unrest and its precarious military position may hinder trade between the two nations in the short term, and Thai people are still thinking about missing workers.
Israel is simply Thailand’s 40th-largest trading spouse, but this year, trade between the two nations increased by 1.15 % to US$ 857 million. Israel is a well-known regional arms dealer, with the Royal Thai Navy purchasing seven$ 112 million” killer” Hermes 900 drones from Israeli company Elbit Systems in 2022.
Israeli defense products, which are now widely used throughout Southeast Asia, have entered Myanmar, Vietnam, and the Philippines. Thailand has increased its purchases since 2010 to include unmanned aerial vehicles( UAVs ), Python – 4 missiles, as well as heavy weapons like the Elbit-built 155-millimeter self-propelled gun.
As much as Jewish investment, agrarian development, and economic opportunities predominate diplomatic relations, Thailand may even tread carefully given that its restless southern region, home to a majority-Muslim population, has actively supported the Arab cause as evidenced by demonstrations in Pattani in 2014 following Operation Protective Edge, which resulted in the deaths of more than 2,300 Palestinians there.
According to numerous studies, the provinces of Pattani, Narathiwat, Songkhla, and Yala in the heavy southern may host pro-Palestinian protests. & nbsp,
Following the attack on a hospital in northern Gaza, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has started to lower Thailand’s stance even more. He posted on Twitter, the social media site,” I am surprised and distressed to learn about the tragedy at al-Ahli Arab Hospital in the North of Gaza next day.”
” I offer prayers for the people of those who are grieving the loss of loved ones. There is no explanation for harming defenseless citizens in battle. Respect for international humanitarian law is required.
Philippines being optimistic
Manila, on the other hand, has demonstrated a circumspect and realistic approach as well. Israel and the Philippines have long-standing, cordial relations, and both nations have made an effort to broaden their bilateral trade, innovation and technology alliances.
The diplomatic partnership, which can be traced again to when Manila welcomed Holocaust refugees in the late 1930s, is centered on personal relationships. & nbsp,
Murder by violent and rebel groups is also a common occurrence in Manila. Additionally, its National Security Council lately confirmed that two alleged Hamas operatives attempted to work in the nation in 2018 and 2022 while even attempting to join forces with nearby rebel groups.
Three Filipinos lost their lives when Hamas attacked Israel at the time of this assurance. More than 130 Filipinos were living in Gaza at the time. & nbsp,
Manila has emphasized its open support for Israel in light of this, while also denouncing the problems by Hamas on the human population. In fact, Eduardo Ao, a national security advisor, added that the Anti-Terrorism Council may make an effort to identify Hamas under the Act.
Thousands of Filipino Christians from various church organizations then expressed their support for Israel after this. But, given economic and socio-political factors, it is likely that such displays of aid will be motivated by caution and reason.
Although Manila’s support for Israel is mainly symbolic, if the conflict intensifies, it could have a significant impact on Philippine passions. In addition, & nbsp,
Israel is geographically situated at a transit andnbsp, route for trade and the movement of overseas Filipino workers ( OFWs ) in the West Asian region, despite the National Economic and Development Authority’s( NEDA ) claim that the economic effects of the ongoing conflict are negligible.
Additionally, more than 2 million OFWs will be in danger if the conflict spreads throughout the whole area. Additionally, the Philippines will need to keep a close eye on any potential safety emergencies that may occur within its borders. & nbsp,
As a result, Manila has put its security forces on higher alert since the resumption of the Israel-Hamas issue because it is possible that militant groups are trying to carry out similar problems in the nation.
Gilbert Teodoro, the secretary of defense for the Philippines, issued a warning about” ISIS sequels” that might attempt to mimic Hamas’ strike strategy. Manila is even wary of the attitudes of its Mindanao-primarily Sunni population.
In fact, more than 12,000 Muslim Filipinos demonstrated on October 16 in opposition to Israel’s defense action in Gaza. Manila will need to be cautious when handling Arab Filipinos’ sentiments in its public claims at the global stage, as the parade witnessed a wave of Israeli flags being raised. & nbsp,
As the conflict in Gaza intensifies, residents of Thailand and the Philippines have been closely monitoring news from internationally. As long as many Filipino and Vietnamese workers are still at risk, their home governments will need to consider their options pragmatically in the near future. & nbsp,