Social media posts surfaced, documenting other accounts of violence and intimidation involving Israeli tourists.
MANILA – Israeli Ambassadress Dana Kursh touted her Israel Defense Forces (IDF) background in response to reports linking Israeli tourists—many of whom are IDF veterans—to harassment and disorderly conduct incidents in Siargao.
In a dialogue with business owners via Zoom on May 13, Kursh said, “I was in the army, I hope that you are not afraid of me… I am very proud of my military background.”
The latest incident circulating on social media involves a café attacked after the owner displayed a Palestinian flag outside. Reports said that Israeli tourists damaged CCTV cameras, threw rocks, and assaulted the owners, even with a child present during the incident.
Tensions rose in Siargao after reports of a violent incident involving Israeli tourists and a local café, triggered when the group reacted to the display of a Palestine flag. Siargao Secrets/Facebook
Social media posts surfaced, documenting other accounts of violence and intimidation involving Israeli tourists. One set of online posts includes photos showing a Lumad woman from Catangnan with visible facial injuries after being punched.
Another viral Facebook post from a local identified as Adrian reads: “Foreign tourists, dili ijo an isla! Kasipog nako na taga Siargao na basta ra lamang kami yano-yanohon nan mga langyaw… pagkulata, panghasi, pangbastos, pang-insulto kay tungod sukwahi sa ila prinsipyo sanan tinoohan bisan paman kon dayo ra sila sa atong yutang natawhan? … dako na insulto ini sa ato nasod na singdon ra kita nila pag dalidali! … kon an ato gobyerno di mulihok ug di muhimo nan aksyon kay lagi neutral ra sila, simay mag antos nan ini sa sunod na panahon? … malamang kita an sunod na gaza! Ugsa pagmata!”
(“Foreign tourists, this is not your island! I am ashamed as a Siargaonon that we are being treated casually by foreigners…beaten, harassed, disrespected, and insulted just because it goes against their principles and beliefs even though they are only visitors to our homeland. This is a great insult to our country that we are being easily disregarded like this! If our government does not act and does not take action because they say they are neutral, who will suffer this in the future? … We might become the next Gaza! Wake up!”)
The reports shared online but not yet fully substantiated by a complete official police report have fueled calls from locals for an urgent investigation, with some reports also circulating that emergency responders and police arrived hours after the incident, though the timing and reporting sequence remain unclear.
‘Do not politicize’
Concerned locals raised these incidents during a a May 10 meeting between Israeli Ambassador Dana Kursh, General Luna Mayor Johnson Y. Sajulga, police officials, and locals supportive of the Chabad House.
On May 12, a separate meeting between the local business owners’ association and the Israeli ambassador was organized by an Israeli businessman with major business interests in the area. However, Kursh did not show up at the meeting.
May 10 meeting of Israeli Ambassador Dana Kursh, Mayor Johnson Y. Sajulga,local police, and Chabad supporters. General Luna, Siargao Facebook page
Kursh was present at a May 13 online consultation, with the chat function disabled, urging Siargao locals not to “politicize” harassment reports linked to Israeli tourists and IDFveterans.
May 13 online consultation with Siargao stakeholders hosted by the Israeli Embassy (contributed photo)
“I would also ask you to bear in mind that there are occasions that social media can amplify events. I just want to say that I am a very proud Israeli and we cannot say that all Israelis are misbehaving”, she said.
When asked by a local business owner about the real purpose of the Chabad House and what it actually represents, Kursh said, “Chabad is not an Israeli entity. They are all over many nations with the goal to be a ‘home away from home’ to people, Israelis and Jews who want to experience their Jewishness. In many ways it is a cultural institution, it is not missionary, it is not converting people to change their religion.”
Read: Siargao locals lead protest for Palestine, warn of Israeli settler threats on island
Yet on the same backdrop, Siargao police publicly awarded yesterday a special medal to Chabad-linked Shluchim after a visit with commanders to the Chabad House, where officials discussed “increased security coordination,” toured its facilities and a planned larger Jewish center, and expressed “deep appreciation” for their cooperation with authorities.
Police Commander Awards Special Medal to Shluchim in Siargao. May 15, 2026. Chabad.info
The ambassador’s explanation of the Chabad House as a non-political “home away from home” cultural institution stood in contrast to concerns raised by local stakeholders who said that their issue is not with any cultural or religious practice but with some Israeli tourists, many reportedly former IDF soldiers, invoking those identities while engaging in repeated acts of crass behavior and harassment.
“There is some fear because many of your citizens have gone through the army or military service. There is a feeling of a huge gap in our island and in the police presence. We are a rural area and do not have enough police presence on the island. Having potential military personnel clearly makes us feel unsafe”, Mark, a long-time Siargao resident, said.
Residents demand tighter screening, stricter checks on Israeli tourists
“We don’t want foreigners invading our homes. All these guidelines may work but they may not hinder all the people coming here that may have PTSD. It is a very neglected part of the army service; after they serve, you let them out in the wild and this is very detrimental to any part of the world receiving them. Prevention is better than cure”, another resident named Niki, told Kursh.
Residents are calling for stronger pre-arrival orientation for Israeli tourists on local culture and conduct, and tighter coordination between embassies and local authorities to better assess and guide incoming visitors, especially those seen as higher-risk, as a preventive step.
They say concerns stem from the large number of Israeli tourists with IDF backgrounds, stressing the issue is not PTSD stigma, but the need for screening, accountability, and institutional responsibility to prevent further incidents on the island.
“The reports of Israeli tourists arriving on motorcycles and hurting an 11-month-old baby while riding a bike — that doesn’t come from PTSD; it comes from being young, stupid, and disrespectful,” Kursh said.
She attributed behavioral concerns partly to cultural traits, saying Israelis are often “much louder than Filipinos in KTV” and are seen as “between assertiveness and aggressiveness,” adding that “you cannot change the psyche of a person but you can educate them.”
Calls for Marcos Jr. accountability over Israel ties
In a statement marking the 78th Nakba Day yesterday, the Philippines-Palestine Friendship Association expressed solidarity with Siargao residents amid reports of harassment involving Israeli tourists. The Marcos Jr. administration was also criticized for enabling diplomatic and defense ties with Israel.
The group cited expanding defense, technology, and investment ties, including an artificial intelligence (AI) hub in New Clark City under the “Pax Silica” framework covering AI, semiconductors, and critical minerals, warning that these deals risk deeper integration into foreign-controlled supply chains tied to surveillance and weapons industries, while reducing the Philippines to cheap labor, raw materials, and strategic territory.
Siargao residents are calling on fellow Filipinos to amplify their demands for concrete action from both local and national government to address reported harassment involving Israeli tourists in Siargao, including legal protection and accountability, as well as an independent investigation into the Chabad House and a continuing petition opposing its presence on the island. (Sign the petition here).
Siargao locals and residents organized a peaceful walk to protest Israeli cultural occupation on
their island. Sept. 20, 2025. Siargao Movement
Following a protest action in September 2025 along the Sunshine Bridge, residents said that they have continued organizing regular community-led consultations and weekly solidarity walks as part of an ongoing effort to raise awareness and press for action. (DAA, RVO)
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