Of independence and continually strengthened ties

This post was last updated on March 26th, 2020 at 02:59 pm

The 68th Israeli National Day
 
 
 
Israeli Ambassador Effie Ben Matityau and wife, retired former ambassador Mme. Lizia Lu hosted a reception to commemorate the 68th anniversary of the Independence of the State of Israel at New World Makati Hotel.
“We started our journey in history as a promised land, and today we are a land of many promises,”
The Ambassador said during his welcome address.
“In 1958, our founding father, the first Prime Minister of Israel stated that Israel must share its nation-building experience with Asia and South America. And since then, more than 170 thousand people around the world endured our hospitality.”
The strong bilateral relationship between Israel and the Philippines has been a longstanding partnership that began long before Israel was a state, and even before the formal establishment of the Israel-Philippines diplomatic relations in 1957.
“[Israel-Philippines relationship] is no ordinary relation. This unique relationship starts before
our two nations became fully independent. In 1977, the late President Manuel L. Quezon defined an open-door policy which reflects the open hearts and friendship of Filipino people,” the Ambassador beamed.
He noted that the Philippines, under President Manuel L. Quezon, allowed 1,300 Jews to escape the holocaust in the 1930s, granting them visas and opening places for them to settle. Then in 1947, the Philippine vote became the tie-breaking voice in the UN to establish the State of Israel.
The relationship between the two countries has become reciprocal with numerous high-level visits of Philippine officials in Israel, while Israeli delegations and companies have frequently visited Manila to discuss agriculture cooperation with Philippine companies.
According to DFA Secretary Jose Rene Almendras, more than 1,500 Filipino students have been training in Israel in agriculture technology and advance farming techniques.
Israel was also one of the first to reach out when the Philippines was hit by Typhoon Haiyan in 2013, dispatching 100 medical staff and equipment to the battered country.
Tourism also has become a very important relationship between two countries. He noted the steady increase in Israel tourist arrivals in the country and the Philippines being considered as Israel’s sixth largest market in Asia with over 11,000 Filipino visits in 2014.
Next year marks the 60th year of diplomatic relations between the two countries, one that has been nurtured through common values and shared aspirations.
 
 

Apostolic Nuncio Giuseppe Pinto; DFA Secretary Jose Rene Almendras; and Israeli Amb. Effie Ben Matityau

 
Israeli Ambassador Effie Ben Matityau was joined by and onstage for a ceremonial toast
Israeli Ambassador Effie Ben Matityau was joined by and onstage for a ceremonial toast

 
 
Australian Ambassador Amanda Gorely and Monaco Consul Fortune Ledesma

 
 
Connie Garcia; Togo Consul Evie Costa; Singaporean Ambassador Kok Li Peng; and Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary for Protocol Jerril G. Santos

 
 
Cory Quirino and Rotary Club of Manila Governor Frank A. Evaristo

 
 
Eritrea Consul George Yang; Monaco Consul Fortune Ledesma; Gambia Consul Agnes Huibonhoa and Tanzania Consul Betty Chua

 
 
Israeli Ambassador Effie Ben Matityau delivers his remarks for the 68th Anniversarry of Israel at New World Makati Hotel

 
 
Ivory Coast Consul Vicente Carlos and Monaco Consul Fortune Ledesma

 
 
Laos Ambassador Phoxay Khaykhamphithoune and Former Philippine Amb. to Russia Victor Garcia

 
 
Minister Counselor Fernando Miguel of Angola and Mme. Sylvia Van Remoortele

 
 
Mme. Paulina Silva Mayorga and Chilean Ambassador Roberto Mayorga Lorca

 
 
Mme. Ziki Ralte and Indian Ambassador Lalduhthlana Ralte

 
 
Remi Ralte; Mme. Ziki Ralte; Indian Amb. L.D. Ralte; and Mawii Ralte

 
 
Romanian Charge d’ Affaires Mihai Sion and Laura Sion

 
 
Ryan Hansen Reeder; Mme. Irene Reeder; and Monaco Consul Fortune Ledesma

 
 
Swiss Ambassador Andrea Reichlin; Ambassador (Ret.) Mme. Lizia Lu; and Monaco Consul Fortune Ledesma

 
 
Vietnam Ambassador Truong Trie Duong; (Rightmost) Cambodian Ambassador Tuot Panha with her daughter

 
 
 
By VIA BAROMA

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