New ambassador seeks enhanced Philippine ties with Israel

MANILA, Philippines — Philippine Ambassador to Israel Nathaniel Imperial presented his credentials to Israeli President Reuven Rivlin, expressing further strengthening of bilateral relations.

In a statement Friday, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Imperial met with Rivlin on December 10 and noted the long friendship of the two countries.

"[President Rivlin] recalled that the Philippines was the only Asian country that supported the UN resolution on the partition of Palestine which gave way to the establishment of the State of Israel," DFA noted, referring to Israel's declaration of independence in 1948.

Rivlin also acknowledged the important role that the 30,000 overseas Filipino workers play in Israeli society.

The Israeli leader also mentioned President Manuel Quezon's "open door policy" offering 10,000 European Jews in the late 1930s during World War II a safe haven. About 1,300 Jews successfully reached the Philippines.

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Imperial, for his part, commented on the expansion of bilateral relations, particularly in agriculture, defense and political cooperation.

The DFA also described the Israel-Philippines ties having reached a "new high" the past years, with Imperial seeking further strengthening of the relationship in his term.

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