Treats for Israel-PH friendship

Israel and the Philippines are celebrating their 64th year friendship anniversary on Feb. 26. It was then when the Treaty of Friendship was signed by former Philippine “acting” foreign affairs secretary Felixberto Serrano and Israel’s head of mission Daniel Lewin.

Our unique friendship is celebrated not just in one day—it is shown all year round. Since I started my designation as the ambassador of the State of Israel to the Philippines in October 2021, the embassy has exerted efforts to strengthen the bond with the Philippines.

Prior to the anniversary, I reaffirmed the friendship between our countries by meeting with Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. We discussed IL-PH’s deepening relations in the areas of political relations, trade and innovation, defense cooperation, development cooperation through Mashav, among others. I also updated Secretary Locsin about the successful implementation of the government-to-government agreement regarding the overseas Filipino workers in Israel and the anticipated direct flights between our countries.

Mashav, the Israeli foreign ministry’s agency for international development cooperation, has been very active in supporting the Philippines in every way. In the latter part of 2021, Supertyphoon “Odette” hit the Philippines. Mashav, through the embassy, donated food packs, sacks of rice, and hygiene kits to the residents of Bohol, Cebu, and Siargao. In addition to these, we sent solar energy panels and Israeli-made NUF water filtration units for access to potable water.

Part of the embassy’s initiatives is to continue to look for ways on how Israeli technology and innovation will reach and benefit more Filipino people. This is why we have donated NUF water filtration units to the indigenous peoples in Nueva Ecija and we have more units to turn over to various government and nongovernment institutions.

My vision is to bring the relations between our countries to the next stage by empowering businesses and inviting more investments. An Israeli delegation from the ministries of finance, justice, and foreign affairs is in the Philippines to negotiate for the 5th Philippine-Israel Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (IPPA). The IPPA aims to strengthen the economic and investment relations between our countries.

Israel is undoubtedly a model nation for agriculture. Every year, hundreds of Filipino students train in Israel for 11 months to practice smart and commercial agriculture under a training program offered by Agro Studies in partnership with Tesda. We want to share our know-how with the Filipinos to help unleash their potential while using smart and innovative technology. The embassy currently has projects with universities in Tarlac, Nueva Ecija, and others to introduce Israeli technology and farming techniques to benefit the communities.

The embassy recently donated tablets for some students in Makati High School to let them digitally connect in their online classes. We are planning to donate more to those who need it the most. Innovation and technologies are not the future—they are the present—and the development of more cooperation in this field is one of my main goals for the years ahead.

Israel has provided assistance ever since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic through the embassy in Manila. This February, the Israeli government turned over antigen test kits to the Department of National Defense. Israel continues to share its best practices through information exchanges.

Israel is a reliable partner and will continue to be a friend of the Philippines especially in defense cooperation. We are democratic countries sharing the same values and principles to combat terrorism and maintain peace and order.

As a startup nation, Israel thinks of innovation to create new partnerships. We supported the medical kits for the “Hospital in a Bike” project of Makati Medical Center Foundation which aims to give urgent medical attention to emergencies in remote areas. The embassy gives importance to supporting far-flung areas with innovative but simple approaches to deal with their needs.

Our friendship is stronger than ever. We are thankful for the Philippines for recognizing the definition of antisemitism as prescribed by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance.

In celebration of our friendship, I hope to make substantial contributions as the ambassador to the furthering of our countries’ friendship and partnership. Salamat, kaibigan! Toda raba!

——————

Ilan Fluss is ambassador of Israel to the Philippines

gsg