Duterte tells Israel's Netanyahu he hopes for enduring 'warm' ties; deals inked
JERUSALEM — President Rodrigo Duterte and Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu affirmed the longstanding ties between their two countries in a historic meeting Monday here.
Duterte expressed hope that the Philippines and Israel would continue to strengthen their friendship, which dates back to World War II.
The Philippines provided shelter to about 1,300 Jewish refugees who were escaping from the Holocaust, the systematic murder of about six million Jews by Nazi Germany.
"May we continue to be blessed with a strong relationship. I do not think that there will ever be a time when there is an irritation even between our two countries," Duterte said.
"I hope that this country will continue with its friendly and warm relationship," he added.
Netanyahu said Israel deeply appreciates the visit of Duterte, the first by a sitting Philippine president.
"We remember the exceptional role of the Philippines that received Jewish refugees during the Holocaust," Netanyahu said.
"We remember our friendship. And that friendship has blossomed over the years and especially over the last few years," he added.
Duterte told Netanyahu that his former wife Elizabeth Zimmerman is a descendant of a Jew who migrated to the Philippines.
Netanyahu noted that the Philippines is the only Asian country that voted in favor of a United Nations resolution that created Israel.
Three cooperation agreements on caregivers, science and trade cooperation were signed after the two leaders' meeting.
The agreement on caregivers will cut as much as $12,000 dollars from the cost of every caregiver.
"This is the money that is taken away from the caregivers and their families, the Israeli families who so want their service. This is an exceptional agreement and I think heralds the kind of friendship that we are developing," Netanyahu said.
Netanyahu recalled that a Filipino caregiver took care of his father.
"There has been a remarkable phenomenon in Israel with thousands and thousands of families have taken heart from the support given by Filipino care workers," the Israeli leader said.
"I am one of those families, Mr. President. My late father died at the age of 102. In his later years received incredible care by a caregiver from the Philippines, a woman who have exceptional compassion and intelligence," he added.
Duterte thanked Netanyahu for helping the Philippines when it was fighting terrorists in Marawi last year.
"We share the same passion for peace. We share the same passion for human beings but we also share the same passion of not allowing our country to be destroyed by those who have the corrupt ideology who nothing but to kill and destroy," he said.
Duterte also thanked him for hosting 28,000 Filipino workers.
"They have been very happy working here, taking care of the aging population of yours, citizens. And I have heard that they have been treated as human beings. Unlike in other places of which I am not at liberty to mention now " the Philippine leader said.
"But the way that they have been received here, was shown last night by their jubilation."
Duterte assured Netanyahu that the Philippines would help Israel when needed.
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