Israel’s Independence Day from Manila

This week, Israel marked its 78th Independence Day, and for me, it will be the first time observing it in Manila.

As I write, it is the eve of Israel’s Memorial Day. In Israel, it begins with a siren at 8 p.m., bringing the entire country to a standstill. Within less than 24 hours, we move, sharply and painfully, from mourning our fallen to celebrating independence.

This year feels different. As the war that began on Oct. 7, 2023 continues, the past nearly two months have been marked by a broader regional escalation, centered on coordinated operations by Israel and the United States addressing threats posed by the Iranian regime. The national mood remains restrained, as many Israelis continue to carry the weight of loss and uncertainty, and celebrations have been scaled back.

This reality has also touched the Philippines.

Eight Filipino men and women have lost their lives, some in the Oct. 7 attacks in southern Israel, and others in recent weeks during missile strikes launched from Iran. Behind these numbers are families, both Filipino and Israeli, who share the same profound grief and loss, a reminder of how deeply interconnected our realities have become.

This interconnected reality extends far beyond human loss. The same escalation has had ripple effects across the global economy, including here in the Philippines, particularly through rising energy and food prices that affect daily life.

A fragile ceasefire is now in place. It is my hope that it will hold, not only to prevent further loss of life, but also to enable stability, recovery, and a more sustainable economic environment.

In this context, we have also adapted how we will mark Israel’s Independence Day in Manila. Like other embassies in the Philippines, we have taken into account the broader economic context in shaping our approach. In the coming weeks, we will share more about how we have chosen to do so.

Yet, even in times of conflict, there is room for hope.

Between Israel and the Philippines, that hope is expressed through partnership. Across agriculture, water, education, health, and cybersecurity, cooperation continues to expand. This year, I would like to highlight one area in particular: energy.

This focus is especially timely following the energy emergency declared by President Marcos just weeks ago.

Two months after presenting my credentials, I was honored to attend a ceremony at Malacañang hosted by Mr. Marcos, who invited eight international companies to witness the signing of new agreements on oil, gas, and energy exploration. Among them was the Israeli company Ratio Petroleum. I attended alongside the ambassadors of the US and Australia.

The initiative reflects growing international confidence in the Philippine energy sector and represents an important step toward strengthening energy security and expanding indigenous energy resources.

This initiative reflects the shared efforts of Israel, alongside countries such as the US and Australia, in responding to the growing global demand for energy and natural gas. It also reflects the depth of the relationship between Israel and the Philippines.

As I reflect on this quieter Independence Day, far from home, I return to a simple belief: peace, however fragile, is always worth pursuing. We continue to follow ongoing diplomatic efforts with cautious hope, in the belief that dialogue can help create the conditions for greater stability in our region.

I hope for a time when life can return to normal, when families no longer live under the shadow of conflict, and when nations can focus not on war, but on building a better future together.

Because in the end, independence is not only declared by nations. It is built through decisions, partnerships, and persistence, especially in uncertain times and through the continued commitment to dialogue and cooperation.

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Dana Kursh is ambassador of the State of Israel to the Philippines.

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