Netanyahu: Israel ‘deeply appreciate’ Duterte’s visit

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday expressed appreciation for President Rodrigo Duterte’s visit to the Jewish state amid scathing criticisms hurled at the Philippine leader who once made controversial comments about the Holocaust.

“We mark that this is the first visit by a President of the Philippines in the history of Israel. It is deeply appreciated,” Netanyahu said in his opening remarks prior to the signing of agreements he and Duterte witnessed at the premier’s office in Jerusalem.

Netanyahu’s statement came after Israeli newspaper Haaretz branded Duterte in its editorial an admirer of war criminal Adolf Hitler and an unwanted guest.

The editorial said Israel's decision to “roll out the red carpet” for Duterte once again proves the Jewish state was willing to overlook human rights violations of “dubious regimes and leaders” for the sake of opportunities for arms deals and defense contracts.

Netanyahu, however, said Duterte is welcome in Israel. Duterte is the first Philippine leader to visit Israel since diplomatic relations were established in 1957.

In 2016, Duterte drew criticism from Jewish groups after he mentioned that he would be "happy to slaughter" some three million drug addicts, similar to what the late German dictator Hitler did to around six million Jews during World War II.

The President later apologized to the Jewish community, saying that it was not his intention to derogate the memory of Jews slaughtered during that period.

Netanyahu also took the opportunity to thank the Philippines for offering shelter to some 1,300 Jews escaping the Holocaust in Europe in 1937.

“We remember the exceptional role of the Philippines that received Jewish refugees during the Holocaust,” he said.

“We remember our friendship. And that friendship has blossomed over the years and especially over the last few years.”

He also said there has been a “remarkable phenomenon” in Israel with “thousands and thousands of families” being supported by Filipino caregivers.

On a personal note, Netanyahu said his father, who died at age 102, “in his later years received incredible care by a caregiver from the Philippines, a woman who have exceptional compassion and intelligence.”

“She took care of my father everyday and when he passed away, she took care of his brother, niece until he passed away,” the premier said.

“I, like many, many Israeli families, have deeply moved by this show of humanity.”

One of the three agreements signed during Duterte-Netanyahu meeting was the deal that aims to reduce exorbitant placement fees being charged by recruitment agencies to caregivers who want to work in Israel.

“This is the money that is taken away from the caregivers and their families, the Israeli families who so want their service,” Netanyahu said.

“This is an exceptional agreement and I think heralds the kind of friendship that we are developing.”

Out of the 28,000 Filipinos in Israel, 24,000 are caregivers, according to the Philippine Embassy in Tel Aviv. — BAP, GMA News