Israeli Envoy Urges Philippines to Ease Travel Alert Amid Ceasefire

Jerusalem, 9 October, 2025 (TPS-IL) -- Manila (PNA)- The Israeli Embassy in Manila renewed its appeal for the Philippine government to downgrade its travel alert for Filipinos, citing improved security conditions as a new peace deal in the region takes effect on Oct. 9.

“[Israel] is safe, and that is something very important, because if you see the news, you hear that there is a war,” Israeli Ambassador to the Philippines Dana Kursh said during a reception for the Jewish Sukkot or Feast of the Tabernacles in Taguig City on Thursday.

“The only way that we are fighting terrorism is not to be terrorized by the terror, not to be afraid, and not to stop going out —that’s exactly what Israelis keep on doing, and what many tourists have been doing,” she added.

Kursh expressed optimism that the recent peace agreement between Israel and Hamas would help stabilize the region and restore confidence among travelers.

“God willing, with the peace signs that is getting more and more positive and real, I do hope that the government of the Philippines and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) will decide to (lower) their security alert, and more and more Filipinos will come,” she said.

The DFA last updated its alert level in Israel on June 30 following the end to the 12-day Iran-Israel conflict on June 24.

The alert level remains at 2 or restriction phase, indicating there are “real threats to the life, security, and property of Filipinos arising from internal disturbance, instability, or external threat.”

Under this alert level, travelers are advised to take necessary precautions before going and while traveling.

Kursh told reporters that the first phase of the peace agreement, which will see the release of all hostages from the Oct. 7 Hamas attack, will take effect with a ceasefire at 5 p.m. on Oct. 9 (Philippine time).

President Donald Trump has earlier announced that Israel and Hamas have reached a deal on the plan that would end the two-year war in Gaza.

Asked how Israel envisions the final phase to take form, Kursh said Israel wants its people to “live in peace” with its neighbors.

“That’s the end game. There’s no other solutions. We all have strived for the same piece of land. We have to find a solution, but the solution has to come from leaders of Israelis and Palestinian leadership,” she said.