Historic visit of Israeli FM to the Philippines

The recent visit to the Philippines of Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen is a strong political message of the close relations between our nations. It exemplifies the desire to enhance the cooperation in the priority areas of agriculture, water, defense and economy. It is also the beginning of exploring development cooperation opportunities, innovation and technology exchanges and other partnerships.

FM Cohen’s visit to Manila reciprocated the historic visit of former president Rodrigo Duterte to Israel in 2018 – the first Filipino president in office to do so. This paved the way for the opening of the Israeli Defense and Economic Attaché offices in Manila, signing of bilateral agreements on OFWs and expanding defense cooperation.

FM Cohen paid a courtesy visit on President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. It was a warm and friendly meeting where we discussed current and future collaboration. We talked about the initiatives of Israel in agriculture and how we wanted to share our experiences in the water sector. We also discussed challenges on food security and how Israel, a country with minimal natural resources, was even able to export fresh fruits and vegetables. President Marcos acknowledged Israel’s expertise in these fields as well as the importance of enhancing the collaboration on defense and security.

Two years ago, Israel established full diplomatic relations with the UAE, Morocco and Bahrain through the Abraham Accords. This also led to the approval of Saudi Arabia and Oman for overflights of Israeli airlines and airlines flying to Israel, which makes the route to the Philippines shorter. With the growing number of Filipino tourists visiting Israel and Israelis visiting this beautiful country, we shared with President Marcos that we are closely working with airlines to push through the direct flight from Tel Aviv to Manila and vice versa.

Israel is known for its leadership in water management practices and technologies including desalination, drip irrigation and water recycling. In fact, Israel reuses 90 percent of sewage water for agriculture. Today, most of the drinking water is desalinated and we even share water with Jordan. We discussed this with President Marcos and how Israel can assist in addressing the water challenges of the country in light of El Niño.

FM Cohen also met with his counterpart, Secretary of Foreign Affairs Enrique Manalo, for a bilateral meeting. They discussed the full range of relations, including the importance of the overseas Filipino workers in Israel. FM Cohen praised the work and dedication of the OFWs. Israel is committed to protecting their rights. Other important issues we discussed were counterterrorism, education and training cooperation, innovation and technology and the annual commemoration of the International Holocaust Day with DepEd, among others.

FM Cohen and SFA Manalo signed an agreement on cooperation on environmental protection, just in time for World Environment Day. This should lead to more partnerships between our countries in addressing issues of sustainability and climate change.

Boosting trade and economic cooperation was one of the main goals of the visit of FM Cohen. In fact, he was accompanied by an Israeli business delegation from the areas of agriculture, water, cybersecurity and innovation and technology. The business delegation met with National Economic and Development Authority Director-General Arsenio Balisacan and was introduced to a lot of Filipino companies during the Israeli-Business Forum. We look forward to seeing these Israeli and Filipino businesses seize the opportunity, forge new partnerships and establish meaningful connections.

FM Cohen met with leading Filipino businesses in an exclusive dinner at my residence to hear about the Philippine economy. He encouraged them to visit the Start-Up Nation and seek for collaborations in innovation. FM Cohen and the business delegation also connected with the Jewish community and the Israel Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines. They were impressed with the presence and activeness of the Jewish and Israeli business communities in Manila. Indeed, they represent the strong bond of Jews with the Philippines.

Israel is in the process of joining the Asian Development Bank (ADB). FM Cohen was the first Israeli minister to visit the headquarters of ADB here in Manila. He met with the bank’s vice president, Mr. Ahmed M. Saeed, and a senior team and expressed Israel’s commitment to join the bank and contribute to its development efforts in Asian countries, including the Philippines.

Defense cooperation was also strengthened during the meeting with VADM Toribio Adaci Jr., Flag-Officer-in-Command. We visited the recently commissioned Faic-M (Shaldag) Ship from Israel. As a true friend and ally, Israel is proud to supply the Philippines with best and proven defense systems and technologies that contribute to the country’s peace and integrity.

In every meeting conducted, FM Cohen reiterated the historically friendly relations between our countries. He visited the Israel-Philippines Friendship Monument in Quezon City together with Mayor Joy Belmonte. The monument highlights the noble act of President Quezon through his “Open Door Policy” which provided a safe haven to 1,300 Jewish refugees fleeing the Nazi regime in Europe.

The UN vote of the Philippines in favor of the establishment of the State of Israel in 1947, the only country in Asia to do so, is also commemorated at the monument.

FM Cohen offered a wreath at Rizal Park – the first minister to conduct the formal ceremony after the easing up of pandemic protocols.

I felt privileged to accompany FM Cohen all throughout his two-day visit. I noticed how he was welcomed with such warm, friendly Filipino hospitality. The work has just started for the Israeli embassy to realize the action items out of the visit.

The visit of FM Cohen strengthened further the relations between our nations and we see it flourishing in the years to come.

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Ilan Fluss is the Israeli Ambassador to the Philippines.