​A historic visit of the Philippine President to the Jewish Synagogue carries the blessings of the New Year’s holiday which symbolizes soul search, forgiveness and atonement.

President Rodrigo Duterte came to the Synagogue of the Jewish community in Manila to personally apologize to the Jewish world on statements made connecting the Jewish Holocaust and his war on drugs.

The President made it clear what was already clear and known that he did not mean disrespect to the Jewish people. Referring to his personal life, his wife Elizabeth Zimmerman is actually a daughter of a Jewish father who found the Philippines as a shelter and home.

President Duterte expressed his respect and affinity to the Jewish people and Israel, paying homage to Prime Minister Netanyahu and his desire to strengthen ties with Israel.

On the other end, Israel Ambassador Effie Ben Matityau made it clear that the President’s words speak for themselves and they are genuine coming from his heart. “We believe that any reference to Nazi Germany that is not in the context of the most evil empire is not going to achieve anything and will be counterproductive. The Nazi empire murdered endless millions of people not for their wrongdoings but rather for being different race or religion. The Jewish people were the ultimate target with an attempt to annihilate us to the last living soul only for the sole reason of hate coupled with racial supremacy and megalomania.”