The Philippine President held talks with the Prime Minister of the State of Israel, H.E. Benjamin Netanyahu where both leaders acknowledged the strong historic ties between the two countries and peoples. Both leaders affirmed their commitment to further strengthen cooperation between the Philippines and Israel in pursuit of their common objectives such as: security, sustainable and equitable economic growth and legal and transparent recruitment of Filipino workers for temporary employment in Israel.

President Duterte and Prime Minister Netanyahu acknowledged the close people-to-people ties that underpin the bilateral relations, dating back to then-Philippine President Manuel L. Quezon’s “Open Doors Policy” in 1937, which saved over 1,200 Jewish lives by opening the Philippines as a refuge for those fleeing the Holocaust in Europe. Both leaders acknowledged with satisfaction the 60th anniversary of Diplomatic Relations between the two countries.

The two leaders  agreed to continue to work towards transforming the historic ties into a vibrant, progressive bilateral relationship, anchored on continuous friendship and mutual goals. The two leaders witnessed the signing of agreements on the legal and transparent recruitment of Filipino caregivers for temporary employment in  Israel, direct investment promotion, and science and technology.

Both leaders agreed that negotiations on a Bilateral Framework Agreement and Implementation Protocol for the temporary employment of Filipino workers in the hotel sector in Israel as per proposals sent by Israel to the Philippines will be conducted by the end of 2018. The Agreement and Implementation Protocol will include mechanisms, which will provide legal, transparent and well-informed recruitment procedures for the Filipino workers. 

The Philippines, as a leading economy in South East Asia, and Israel, as a leading economy in the Middle East have great potential to increase trade, investments, R&D and other forms of economic cooperation between them. Therefore, the two leaders agreed to finalize an agreement which will establish a Joint Economic Commission with the aim of achieving these goals. Representatives of the Ministry of Economy and Industry of Israel and representatives of the Department of Trade and Industry of the Philippines will Co-Chair the commission, which will meet at a date to be agreed by the Chairs, in the Philippines and in Israel, alternately.