Israel's 67th birthday is highlighted by its remarkable progress in science and technology, placing it as one of the leading hi-tech economies and a major hub for innovation and creativity.
The motto of Israel's development was always based on the principle ''necessity is the mother of all inventions.''
From the beginning, Israel had to overcome a very harsh environment which led to the most unique innovations in agro-technology. Water scarcity led Israel to a very unconventional solution in the form of massive desalination.
A very dangerous political and security environment led Israel to create the most sophisticated defense and hi-tech industries, alongside a very powerful defense force to safeguard the nation.
From the very beginning, Israel’s founding fathers made it a rule to share its nation-building process and achievements with friends and newborn nations of the second half of the 20th century.
The Philippines was and is a very unique partner for development and cooperation. Israel’s strong bond with the Philippines started before the establishment of the two states with the decision of President Manuel Quezon to open the doors of the Philippines to desperate Jewish refugees in the late 1930s; and the support of the born Republic of the Philippines to the creation of the State of Israel in the crucial vote in the United Nations on Nov. 29, 1947.
Ever since, Israel’s relations with the Philippines carried the mark ''a friend in need is a friend indeed.'' More than 3,000 Filipino experts enjoyed training programs in Israel, and hundreds of Israeli experts worked in the Philippines as consultants and trainers in a variety of subjects.
Israel was always ready to lend its support in times of emergency with extensive humanitarian work best represented by its help to the victims of super typhoon Yolanda in 2013.
In recent years, Israel witnessed growing partnerships in the ICT area and a growing number of Israeli-owned companies who established their presence in the Philippines.
Israel is the holy land and the Philippines is a paradise for tourism which present great opportunities in both directions. Israel hopes that after signing the air agreement, there will be a regular route to the holy land.
This year marks the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II and in honor of the Philippines great moral victory embodied by the rescue of 1,300 Jewish people from the horrors of Nazism in Europe, the Israel Embassy in Manila established a special year-round program under the banner ''Thank You Philippines."
The Philippine Star Features, May 7, 2015
Net 25 - Mata ng Agila, May 5, 2015