MANILA – The Israeli government is hoping to fly home “within the week” the 17 Filipino officials currently stranded in the Jewish state as its conflict with Iran intensifies on its fifth day.
Irit Savion Waidergorn, deputy head of Israeli international aid agency MASHAV, said the 17 have all signified their intention to return to the Philippines as soon as possible.
“They’re safe. They’re with our team — their accommodations, their meals, all their needs are being catered. There are safe rooms and public shelters in their hotel, and whenever is needed, they go there, and they’re very safe there,” she said in a phone interview on Tuesday night.
The 17, Waidergorn said, are composed mostly of mayors who came to Israel as part of MASHAV’s study tour on urban agriculture and green cities.
The delegation, along with four other groups of local government officials from Latin America, Asia, and Africa, was supposed to participate in the Israeli trade show Muni Expo 2025 that was slated for June 17 to 19.
“We were very happy and very excited that they came, but the situation has changed, and we are making sure to do everything — that they will be safe and that they will be able to leave Israel as soon as possible,” Waidergorn said.
The MASHAV executive said when not hunkered down the bomb shelters, the group continues to participate in the study program.
“We make sure also that during the day and during their program, the programs continue and we try to give them lecture and make sure their time passes as best as possible under the circumstance,” she said.
Waidergorn said the Israeli side is in constant talks with Jordanian authorities and Israeli traveling companies to see if the group can leave early via land to Jordan.
“Our consular services are in touch with the Jordanian authorities making sure that everybody that has to go via Jordan will be able to go via Jordan and go home safely,” she said.
“For this group, from where they are, this is a shorter travel and a better travel. So, that’s the route that was chosen. As we speak everything is being done for the safe travel as soon as possible, hopefully already this week,” she added.
Waidergorn said the Philippine government, through the Philippine Embassy in Tel Aviv, is also in “full coordination” with MASHAV and Israeli government.
A total of 22 Filipinos were visiting under Israeli sponsorship when Israel mounted its military campaign against Iran, prompting deadly retaliatory air strikes that began on the evening of June 13.
One of the 22 was visiting under an LGBTQ advocacy program and has already left Israel, according to Waidergorn. (PNA)