Postpone non-essential travel to Israel, Pinoys told

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine embassy in Tel Aviv yesterday reiterated its call for the postponement of non-essential travel to Israel until the security situation in the country has stabilized.

Non-essential travel includes pilgrimages and other tours. Travelers rendering volunteer work are also discouraged because of security risks.

The embassy said it would not be responsible for the safety of Filipinos traveling to Israel as tourists or volunteers.

“Filipinos are advised to exercise caution and not to fall for any schemes by people, organizations or companies organizing pilgrimages to Israel,” the embassy said in a travel advisory.

The Bureau of Immigration has been alerted about these schemes.

Israel’s security cabinet on Sunday authorized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to decide on the “manner and timing” of a response to a rocket strike in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights that killed 12 minors.