New Israeli envoy meets with Cebu biz leaders

EBU CITY – New Israeli Ambassador to the Philippines Rafael Harpaz met with Cebuano business leaders and discussed ways to boost economic cooperation between the two countries. “I’m here in Cebu to more tour operators in pilgrims to the Holy Land further strengthen our Israel are promoting and Israeli tourists to the economic relations with packaged holiday trips to beautiful islands of the the Philippines,” Harpaz the province. “The Philippines. told reporters during his Philippines is easy to sell More joint business recent visit here where in Israel. This is why we ventures between Israel he met with members of encouraged the and the Philippines could the Cebu Chamber of Philippine Airlines to also be forged with the Commerce and Industry. open direct flights to Tel opening of the direct

Harpaz, Aviv from Manila and vice Manila-tel Aviv flights, he accompanied by his versa,” he said. said. wife, Shulamit, and He said these direct Harpaz said the Israelis honorary consul Emily flights translate to owe the Filipinos a great Chioson, said Cebu has economic growth for both deal as the Philippines did also become a favorite countries through tourism not only open its doors for tourist destination because these would the more than a thousand among Israelis, adding, bring more Filipino Jews during the Holocaust, but was also the only Asian country to vote for the independence of Israel in the 1947 United Nations General Assembly.

Harpaz also met with Governor Hilario Davide III, Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña, and Mandaue City Mayor Luigi Quisumbing.

Israel Ambassador to the Philippines, Rafael Harpaz (middle), and his wife Shulamit (second from right) pose for a picture with some officials of the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry. (Photo by Luel Galarpe)