Israel envoy wraps up 4-year stint in PH amid Independence Day commemoration
Israel Ambassador to the Philippines Ilan Fluss on Thursday commemorated Israel's 77th National Independence Day as he begins to wrap up his four-year stint in the country.
During the celebration in Makati on Thursday, Fluss shared that he was a 'balikbayan diplomat,' having worked in the Philippines in the 90's before he was named ambassador in 2021.
'In the 90s, Manila was a different world. No MRT or BGC… Brown-outs were a part of daily life. Our kind neighbors then shared with us a generator so we could have electricity and water. But, the Filipino people haven't changed. They are still the nicest people on earth,' he said.
'Congratulations for the progress of this amazing country… Our hearts never truly left this country. We've always felt a strong bond with the Philippines, a country whose warmth, hospitality, and family values mirror those of Israel,' he added.
The outgoing ambassador also highlighted that the partnership between the Philippines and Israel resulted in the creation of 3.5-hectare greenhouse Metro Pacific Fresh Farms (MPFF) in Bulacan, and noted plans of producing a modern dairy farm sometime in the future.
Fluss also prayed for 58 remaining hostages in the Israeli-Hamas war and remembered notable individuals during the October 7 Hamas attacks, particularly Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) Camille Jesalva, who helped her 95-year-old employer by giving her savings to a Hamas member,
'We pray for the return of the remaining 58 hostages from the end of this war, and we continue to pray for peace,' he said.
Department of Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Civilian Security and Consular Affairs Jesus Domingo acknowledged the connection between Philippines and Israel, noting that it was rooted in history.
'We recall with pride the Philippines's open-door policy, offering refuge to the Jewish people fleeing the Holocaust, and our crucial vote in favor of the United Nations Resolution 181, which paved the way for Israel's recognition as a nation-state. These historical cornerstones form a bedrock where strong bilateral ties,' he said.
Domingo said that the partnership between the two countries continue in several sectors, including Agriculture, Technology, and Security.
'Our people-to-people connections continue to strengthen, fostered by tourism, public exchanges, and the shared democratic values that underpin our societies. We are both people of song, and one thing that we Israelis and Filipinos, we love a good song."
He added that while Fluss would be a 'tough act to follow,' the country looks forward to continued collaboration with the Embassy in the future.
'As we look to the future, the Philippines is committed to further strengthening this multi-faceted partnership. We are confident by continuing to work together, we can achieve greater prosperity and security for both our nations, and contribute positively to the global community… And may the bonds of friendship and cooperation between the Philippines and Israel continue to flourish in the years ahead,' he said.
First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos was also in attendance during the event, joining a toast on stage and receiving a token of appreciation filled with vegetables from MPFF.
She also joined Fluss and other officials of the embassy by testing out a hologram of Fluss powered by Artificial Intelligence (AI) with a series of questions.
Israel celebrates its independence day in the same month as Palestinians commemorate the Nakba, or "catastrophe," the violent mass displacement and dispossession of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians in 1948, during the war at the birth of what is now the state of Israel.
Israel is also conducting a military assault and blockade of Gaza, with the declared intent of targeting Hamas within the Palestinian enclave. It has struck hospitals, schools and refugee camps, killing tens of thousands of Palestinians including thousands of women and children. South Africa has filed a case against Israel at the International Court of Justice, accusing it of genocide against the Palestinian people.
Israel Embassy mourns fallen colleagues in Washington
During his speech, Fluss condemned the killing of two staff members of the Israel Embassy on Wednesday evening in Washington, DC.
'I have to share the shocking news of two colleagues, employees of the Israeli Embassy in Washington, Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim, who were murdered just a few hours ago because they were working at the Israeli Embassy,' he said.
'I want to send my condolences to the families. We condemn this act of terrorism, but we will not let terrorism and antisemitism win,' he added.
Israeli flags were placed at half-mast during the event as a sign of mourning.
Domingo also extended condolences on behalf of the DFA and the Philippines.
'Join me also in wishing our condolences and prayers to our Philippine colleagues in Washington, D.C.,' he said.
Lischinsky and Milgrim were fatally shot outside an event at the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, DC.
"Harming diplomats and the Jewish community is crossing a red line. We are confident that the US authorities will take strong action against those responsible for this criminal act,' Israeli ambassador to the United Nations Danny Danon said in a post on X. — BM, GMA Integrated News
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