22 November 2004 -  The Philippines and Israel today explored new opportunities for enhanced cooperation focusing on science and technology, trade, agriculture, security, labor and cultural exchange.  The Philippines and Israel have shared close bilateral relations since 1957, ten years after the state of Israel was established.

During the 4th RP-Israel Joint Commission Meeting at the DFA’s Carlos P. Garcia Conference Room, Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Policy Sonia Cataumber Brady, Head of the Philippine Delegation, said that the meeting took place “at a time when dramatic shifts and changes” are happening in the Middle East. The DFA Undersecretary also emphasized that the meeting occurred at an opportune time when the Philippine economy is recovering.

Undersecretary Brady pointed out that the bilateral trade between the Philippines and Israel last year amounted to $181 Million, of which $21 Million comprised of Philippine exports to Israel. “I hope that we can devise a program to have mutually beneficial trade relationship,” Undersecretary Brady said. The Foreign Affairs Undersecretary also pointed out that the Philippines “hopes to learn from Israel in terms of science and technology” as well as “pursue more people to people exchanges”. Undersecretary Brady also cited the common values shared by the Filipino and Israeli peoples, “the value of democracy and dignity of persons.”

For his part, Deputy Director General Amos Nadai of the Israeli Ministry for Foreign Affairs, expressed the importance attached by Israel in the “continuity factor of Philippine-Israeli bilateral relations.”  He pointed to the historical bond between the two peoples, sharing the same “democratic values” such as the freedom of expression and speech, which he said, is unique to Israel in as far as the Middle East is concerned.  He also expressed his people’s gratitude and appreciation for the generosity and kindness the Philippines extended to the persecuted Jews from Europe, who sought refuge on Philippine shores. “Thousands of Jews were allowed to enter the Philippines during the Second World War,” Deputy Director General Nadai said, adding that the Israeli people always looks with favor such courageous acts of generosity in times of adversity.  The Philippines also supported in the United Nations the establishment of the state of Israel in 1947.

The members of the Philippine Delegation included representatives from the DFA, DOLE, DA, DOST, NEDA and the NCCA.  The Israeli Delegation included Ambassador of Israel to the Philippines H.E. Yehoshua Sagi, Mr. Amichai Mordechai of the MFA and Deputy Chief of Mission Mr. Guy Feldman.

The JCM was established in 1997 and is convened every 18 months in alternating venues. It provides the opportunity for senior officials of the two governments to exchange views on the political, security and economic situation in their respective regions and to discuss specific ways to enhance and accelerate bilateral relations between the two countries, particularly in view of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of RP-Israel diplomatic relations in 2007. The next JCM will be held in Israel in 2006. END