Israeli Ambassador Thanks Philippines for Support Amid Conflict

MANILA — During a reception marking Israel’s 76th Independence Day at the New World Makati Hotel on June 20, the Israeli Ambassador to the Philippines, Ilan Fluss, expressed gratitude towards President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and the Filipino people for their solidarity with Israel amid ongoing conflicts.

According to Philippines News Agency, Ambassador Fluss acknowledged the support from the Philippines following President Marcos’s statement on October 11, 2023, which condemned the attacks by Hamas and called for the release of hostages. “My vision is to build bridges of innovation and technology between our two countries. Over the past eight months, we have unexpectedly built new connections, including bonds forged in the wake of terror,” Fluss stated, while also remembering the Filipino caregivers—Angelyn Aguirre, Loreta Alacre, Grace Cabrera, and Paul Castelvi—who lost their lives in a Hamas attack.

The ambassador highlighted the continued support from Filipino friends, organizations, and communities. He commended a group of Filipinos who volunteered at a rehabilitation hospital in Tel Aviv for two-and-a-half months, a gesture organized by Israel’s Honorary Consul in Davao, Jorge Marquez. This effort, Fluss noted, epitomizes the ‘bayanihan spirit’—a term for communal unity in Filipino culture.

Fluss also paid tribute to the 28,000 overseas Filipino workers in Israel who have remained with their Israeli employers through challenging times. “Maraming salamat po sa inyong pagmamahal at suporta. Saludo po ako sa inyong lahat (thank you very much for your love and support. I salute you all),” he added.

During the event, Assistant Secretary and Chief of Protocol of the Department of Foreign Affairs, Ariel Peñaranda, and the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Charles Brown, joined a special toast to celebrate the enduring relations between the Philippines and Israel.

The occasion also featured a performance by Rose Fostanes, a Filipina who won the X Factor Israel in 2014. She performed “Hurricane” by Israeli singer Eden Golan, which placed fifth in the recent Eurovision contest. Additionally, a photo exhibit was displayed showcasing the heroism and volunteerism of Filipinos during the October 7 attack in Israel.