Israel explores further cooperation with PH in tourism, cybersecurity

The Philippines and Israel are exploring more avenues of cooperation—including a possible free trade agreement, direct flights between the two countries, and cybersecurity agreements—that will improve the bond that has been going strong since World War II, Israel's Ambassador to Manila Dana Kursh said on Monday, Oct. 27.

- By RAYMUND ANTONIO

In an exclusive roundtable discussion with The Manila Bulletin, the envoy underscored the importance that Israel puts in the Philippines, citing high-level visits of its ministers for foreign relations, economy, and tourism, as well as its deputy foreign minister.

“That shows that the Israeli government thinks very highly of the Philippines because it is working top down—our Prime Minister said look east and he specifically said also the Philippines and our ministers are coming here to explore more avenues of cooperation," she said.

"So, this is one time that it relies on the past and it looks at the present and if we are looking at the future there are two things that are important," she added.

The first, Kursh shared, is the possible free trade agreement (FTA) between the two countries, of which discussions on building the mechanisms have already started in July.

"So, hopefully, there will be a free trade agreement. We are now just finalizing things, so, we initially started in July and when it's done, the potential of bond between the two nations will become even more," she pointed out.