PH strengthens multifaceted partnership with Israel

By Joyce Ann L. Rocamora, Philippine News Agency

Speaking at the Israel Independence Day reception in Makati on Thursday night, Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Jesus Domingo said Manila is eager to “further strengthen” this multifaceted partnership with the Jewish state. (PNA photo by Joyce Rocamora)

MANILA – The Philippine government reaffirmed its commitment to further strengthen its partnership with Israel, spanning key areas, such as agriculture and security.

Speaking at the Israel Independence Day reception in Makati on Thursday night, Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Jesus Domingo said Manila is eager to “further strengthen” this multifaceted partnership with the Jewish state.

Domingo said the two states share a deep and unique friendship rooted in history when the Philippines opened its door to Jewish people fleeing the Holocaust and voted in favor of a United Nations resolution to establish the State of Israel.

“These historical cornerstones form the bedrock of our strong bilateral ties over the decades, our relationship continues to expand,” he said, citing the dynamic Philippine-Israel cooperation on agriculture, technology and innovation, and security.

People-to-people connections, he added, have grown through tourism, culture exchanges, and the two nations’ shared democratic values.

“We are confident that by continuing to work together, we can achieve greater prosperity and security for both our nations and contribute positively to the global community,” he said.

Outgoing Israel Ambassador to the Philippines Ilan Fluss, meanwhile, conveyed similar hopes for stronger Philippine-Israel relations as he noted the new depth in the two states’ partnership over the past years.

In the same event, Domingo and Fluss expressed their sympathies to the kin of two Israeli diplomats killed outside a Jewish museum in Washington DC on Thursday.