NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Second Regular Session
senate
23 AUG-1 AlO :13
mSoEN^1S72
RECEIVED BY:
INTRODUCED BY SENATOR JOSEPH VICTOR G. EJERCITO
AN ACT
DECLARING AUGUST 9 OF EVERY YEAR AS THE PHILIPPINES-ISRAEL 
FRIENDSHIP DAY
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The Philippines has always prided itself In being one of the most hospitable 
countries in the world. One of the friendships born from this hospitality is between the 
Philippines and the State of Israel. In 1957, the State of Israel and the Republic of the 
Philippines established full diplomatic relations with the signing of the Treaty of 
Friendship on February 26, 1958. On 1962, the Israeli embassy in Manila and the 
Philippine embassy in Tel Aviv opened.
There are two pivotal roles played by the Philippines In Israel history - the 
rescue of more than a thousand Jews from Nazi Germany and the Philippines' vote for 
the creation of the State of Israeli in 1947.
In the late 1930's, President Manuel L. Quezon officially offered a safe haven 
an disused 10,000 visas to Jewish refugees when most of the world shut their doors 
for Jews. Philippines, through President Quezon's "Open Door Policy" received up to 
one thousand three hundred Jewish refugees and settled them in government- 
provided housing communities In Marikina.


On November 1947, the Philippines voted for the United Nations General 
Assembly Resolution 181 recommending partition of Palestine and the establishment 
of a Jewish State. Our country was among the 33 countries who supported the creation 
of the State of Israel, in fact, we were the only Asian country which voted for the said 
UN Resolution.
On February 26, 2018, marked the 60th anniversary of the Treaty of Friendship 
between Philippines and Israel. It was also the 80th anniversary of President Manuel 
Quezon's Open Door Policy, 70th anniversary to the Philippines' vote for the United 
Nations resolution that led to the creation of the State of Israel, and of course the 
70th anniversary of Israel's statehood.1
Accordingly, this measure Is an instrument in order to pay tribute and 
memorialize the long partnership and relationship between the Philippines and Israel, 
and to celebrate the perpetuity of this tie between both nations.
In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
JOSEPH VICTOR G. EJERCITO
1 https://embassies.gov.il/manila/NewsAndEvents/Pages/lsrael-and-PH-mark-.aspx


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Second Regular Session
)
SENATE
s. No. 2372
of tlje
23 AUG-1 A10:13
RECEIVED BV,
INTRODUCED BY SENATOR JOSEPH VICTOR G. EJERCITO
AN ACT
DECLARING AUGUST 9 OF EVERY YEAR AS THE PHILIPPINES-ISRAEL 
FRIENDSHIP DAY
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines, in 
Congress assembled:
1 
Section 1. It is hereby declared the policy of the State to:
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a) Strengthen the relationship between the Philippines and countries with
3 
which it has shared history, values, and traditions; and
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b) Commemorate notable acts of bravery and compassion of the Filipino
5 
people.
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Sec. 2. The ninth of August each year is hereby declared as the Philippines-
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Israel Friendship Day to commemorate the establishment of diplomatic relations
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between the Philippines and Israel, birthed from the signing of Proclamation No. 173
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by President Manuel L. Quezon which called on all Filipinos to welcome and help Jewish
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refugees who were escaping the horrors of the Holocaust.
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Sec. 3. The Department of Foreign Affairs is hereby mandated to spearhead in
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collaboration with the National Historical Commission of the Philippines and all other
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government agencies and institutions the conduct of activities in celebration of the
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Philippine-Israel Friendship Day and the implementation of projects and events
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promoting friendship and cultural understanding between the Philippines and Israel.


Sec. 4. All laws, orders and issuances, rules and regulations and/or parts 
thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified 
accordingly.
Sec. 5. This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days from its publication in 
the Official Gazette or in newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,