An Israeli content creator in Siargao has apologized for posting a video in which a sticker bearing the Philippine flag was crumpled.
The Jewish Nomads, consisting of Israeli nationals Ash and Maayan, together with their two children, said they had removed their viral Facebook Reel in which one of them crumpled a sticker.
The video featured the female partner removing a sticker in a post with the text: “KEEP SIARGAO CLEAN.”
It featured a sticker showing the flags of Palestine and the Philippines side by side, with the text: “SIARGAO TOGETHER FOR HUMANITY.”
This was removed by the female individual, who appeared to be smiling as she did so.
She later showed the sticker to the camera and then crumpled it, seemingly satisfied withher gesture.
The video was later reposted by a Filipino user on TikTok.
“Yep, see how entitled you can be to rip off something an establishment [has] put up on their property. Not to mention, about crumpling our national flag wherein R.A 8491 — The Philippine flag must be treated with RESPECT,” the TikTok user said, referring to the Republic Act 8491, or the Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines.
@wake.up184 Yep see how entitled you can be to rip off something an establishment have put up on their property. Not to mention about crumpling our national flag wherein R.A 8491 – The Philippine flag must be treated with RESPECT. Mind you they did it in front of their child, showing them how to HATE and to be DISRESPECTFUL at a very young mind! 🤮 #nojusticenoservicesiargao #siargaoisland ♬ Angels Calling Tension – Alboom, Mattia Feliciani, Matteo Locasciulli, Victor Galey,
The Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines contains no specific provision on crumpling representations of the flag.
However, it is prohibited “to mutilate, deface, trample on, cast contempt, or commit any act or omission casting dishonor or ridicule upon the National Flag or over its surface,” referring to the actual flag itself.
The Jewish Nomads then apologized for “hurting Filipinos” over the sticker crumpling video.
“I want to say clearly that I take full responsibility for hurting Filipino people by crumpling their flag in the process. That was never my intention, and I truly apologize for that because we’ve met such beautiful Filipino people here, and I genuinely appreciate them so much,” the female partner said on May 16.
However, the content creators said they are not sorry for removing the sticker from the post.
“But I do not apologize for taking down the sticker itself. Because for me, humanity is never one-sided. If something truly stands for humanity, then it should hold space for both Israelis and Palestinians,” she said.
“The reason I deleted the reel was not because I was scared of hate comments. It was because fellow Israelis and Jewish people reached out and explained that the reel was creating more tension for the Israeli and Jewish community here in Siargao,” she added.
“And protecting my people matters more to me than keeping a viral post online,” the female partner continued.
Last month, an old video of Israeli tourists clashing with some locals in Siargao gained attention, with the tourists reportedly insulting them over their gender identity.
Reports from the Department of Tourism-Caraga Region show that Israeli visitors make up only a small portion of Siargao’s foreign tourists, which are largely dominated by travelers from France, the United States, Spain, Germany and the United Kingdom.
On May 17, the Embassy of Israel in the Philippines had held a dialogue with more than 70 business owners in Siargao to strengthen communication and address community concerns regarding tourist behavior on the island.
“If they are misbehaving, arrest them, press charges,” Ambassador Dana Kursh said, stressing that consular assistance does not extend to shielding nationals from legal consequences.
She also pledged to coordinate with Israeli media to reinforce messages on responsible conduct.
Siargao is famous for its world-class surfing spots, white sand beaches, secret lagoons, stunning sunset views and laidback island lifestyle paired with a lively nightlife.