Ambassador Bar-On’s farewell National Day

Israeli Ambassador Menashe Bar-On led the celebrations for Israel’s 66th National Day marking the nation’s declaration of independence in 1948. This will be the last time that Ambassador Bar-On will be observing National Day here because he and his lovely wife Eti will be leaving soon. The Israeli envoy and his wife are one of the most well-liked couples in the diplomatic circle as seen by the many friends they have made. In fact, Ambassador Bar-On is considered the most popular Israeli ambassador that has ever been assigned to Manila — strengthening the closer ties between our two nations.

When typhoon Yolanda hit last year, Israeli Defense Forces trooped to the affected areas, with doctors and medical staff bringing in medical equipment to help the survivors. Over $500,000 worth of medicines and medical equipment were also donated for the use of public hospitals in Cebu.

The Jewish community will never forget that during the time of President Manuel L. Quezon, the Philippines opened its doors to more than a thousand German and Austrian Jews who escaped the horrors of the Holocaust, where six million Jews were systematically murdered upon the order of Adolf Hitler. Along with American High Commissioner Paul McNutt, Quezon issued thousands of working visas for the Jews while the Frieder Brothers — Philip, Alex, Morris and Herbert — provided the jobs in their cigarette factory.

To this day, the Jewish people remember how the Philippines welcomed the refugees to its shores when many nations were hesitant to do so. In 1947, when Israel was fighting for nationhood, the Philippines was the only Asian country that voted for UN Resolution 181 recommending the partition of Palestine and the creation of the State of Israel. In 1958, Israel and the Philippines formalized their diplomatic relations when a Treaty of Friendship was signed between the two countries.

Photos by Ramon Joseph J. Ruiz