RP eyes OFW protection in Israel with honorary consul

The Philippine government expects to ensure more protection for overseas Filipino workers in Israel following the appointment of a prominent lawyer as new honorary consul general there. Boaz Waksman was sworn in to office as the Philippine Honorary Consul in Ashdod with consular jurisdiction over Southern Israel last week, the Department of Foreign Affairs said. "Mr. Waksman, a prominent and practicing lawyer, is engaged in the tourism industry for the past 30 years. He owns and operates Ophir Tours Limited, one of Israel’s leading tourism companies with at least 24 branches in all of Israel," the DFA said. Citing a report from the Philippine Embassy in Tel-Aviv, the DFA said Waksman’s assumption of office took place after the Israeli Foreign Ministry gave its consent to his appointment. Philippine Ambassador to Israel Petronila Garcia presented the Consular Commission signed by Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo and issued to Waksman. Yitzhak Eldan, Chief of Protocol of the Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs, handed the execuatur signed by President Shimon Peres. Garcia welcomed the appointment of Waksman and expressed hope that his appointment will usher more tourism, trade and cultural exchanges between the two countries. "The Ambassador also pointed out that the protection of the overseas Filipino workers is one of the priorities of the Embassy and an Honorary Consul covering the southern part of Israel will definitely aid the Embassy in performing this task," the DFA said. Israeli Chief of Protocol Eldan congratulated the Philippine Embassy for choosing Waksman, emphasizing that he is the most appropriate person for the job. Eldan also praised Filipino workers in Israel, who he said are indeed one of the best in the world. For his part, Waksman vowed to promote the interest of the Philippines and the Filipino workers in Israel, adding he will work hard to further advance not only tourism but also trade and cultural relations between the two countries. He added that his appointment as Honorary Consul of the Philippines is a great honor and his service to the Philippines a small token of his appreciation to the Philippine Government and the Filipino people for saving Jewish refugees during the Holocaust of 1939. Waksman’s appointment came several months after Yair Ephrati, one of the leading businessmen in Israel, was appointed as Honorary Consul in Jerusalem. - GMANews.TV