While recognizing the right of a state to control the entry and stay of non-citizens, the Philippines believes that humanitarian concerns should be considered in exercising that right.

This was conveyed today by Foreign Affairs Secretary Blas F. Ople to Israeli Charge d’ Affaires Mr. Roi Dver in a meeting between the two officials at the Department.  Mr. Dver, in turn, assured Secretary Ople that all deportees will be treated humanely.  Mr. Dver also emphasized that those who go for voluntary deportation would not be placed on any blacklist and could return to Israel as properly documented workers.

Secretary Ople invited Mr. Dver to the Department to discuss the plan of the Israeli government to deport all illegal workers in Israel.  This decision of the Israeli government could affect around 21,000 undocumented Filipinos in Israel.

“I informed Mr. Dver that the Philippines hopes that Israel will consider measures that might allow our undocumented Filipinos to regularize or extend their stay, particularly our OFWs who are with their families, a position that I believe is strongly supported by their employers,” the Secretary said.  Most Filipinos are employed as caregivers, tending to the sick and elderly of Israel.

“I also told Mr. Dver that if this was not possible, and that if deportations were unavoidable, that the Philippines hopes that these would be carried out at a reasonable rate and with full regard for the rights and dignity of our workers,” the Secretary explained.

In response, Mr. Dver said that the Israeli government could look into the possibility of a regularization program.  Mr. Dver also said that deportations would be done at a reasonable rate and that there would be no mass deportations.  Mr. Dver acknowledged that Filipinos in Israel perform a very important function in Israeli society.

The Secretary added that Philippine Ambassador to Israel, Ambassador Belen Anota, has been making similar representations in Tel-Aviv immediately after the Philippines was officially informed of the pending deportations.  Ambassador Anota has also been coordinating this matter with the Filipino Community in Israel.

“I have also instructed Ambassador Anota to continue her diplomatic representations while at the same time preparing to assist Filipinos who will either be given the opportunity to regularize their employment or those who are facing deportation,” the Secretary added.

“We are also working with DOLE to assist deportees in finding work in the Philippines or elsewhere,” the Secretary said.

The Secretary also said that Filipinos hoping to work in Israel should make sure that they are fully documented and that their employment is legal.  He also said that the Philippines appreciates the efforts of the Israeli embassy in Manila, which has launched an information campaign against illegal recruitment to Israel. END.