President Rodrigo Duterte poses for a photo with outgoing Ambassador of Israel to the Philippines Rafael Harpaz and his wife, Madame Shulamit, after he conferred the Order of Sikatuna with the rank of Datu (Grand Cross) Silver Distinction on the Israeli ambassador, who paid a farewell call on the President at the Malacañang Palace on June 16, 2021/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTOS
MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte has conferred the Order of Sikatuna with the rank of Datu upon outgoing Ambassador of Israel to the Philippines Rafael Harpaz.
In Harpaz’s farewell call to the President in Malacañang on Wednesday, Duterte lauded the ambassador for his “tireless work in advancing cooperation in the areas of defense, business and innovation, agriculture, and labor migration.”
Duterte particularly noted Harpaz’s role in ensuring “humane and orderly treatment of Filipinos with immigration cases in Israel and the implementation of bilateral agreements on the temporary employment of Filipino home-based caregivers and workers in the hotel sector,” said a Palace statement issued Thursday.
Further, the President thanked Israel for its donation of medical supplies, testing kits, and educational equipment to help the Philippines in its fight against COVID-19 and for the inclusion of Filipinos in Israel’s free vaccination program.
President Rodrigo Duterte poses for a photo with outgoing Ambassador of Israel to the Philippines Rafael Harpaz and his wife, Madame Shulamit, after he conferred the Order of Sikatuna with the rank of Datu (Grand Cross) Silver Distinction on the Israeli ambassador, who paid a farewell call on the President at the Malacañang Palace on June 16, 2021/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTOS
Harpaz, for his part, lauded Duterte for his leadership and contributions to the bilateral relations between the Philippines and Israel. The ambassador said Duterte was the first Philippine president to have undertaken an official visit to Israel.
In 2018, Duterte made a four-day state visit to Israel and met with then Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Harpaz also expressed appreciation for the Philippines’ contribution to Israel, particularly the Filipino health professionals and caregivers who have assisted in his country’s fight against the pandemic.