WATCH: Israeli Envoy ‘Excited’ to Serve in the Philippines

Meet Rafael Harpaz, Israel’s newly appointed ambassador to the Philippines.

Ambassador Rafael Harpaz, Israel’s new envoy to the Republic of the Philippines, will expand on the many existing cultural and educational exchanges between the two countries.

Israel and the Philippines have enjoyed a strong relationship for many years. During the Philippines president’s recent visit to the Jewish state, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed appreciation for the Philippines’ support at the UN for the establishment of the State of Israel and its willingness to take in Jewish refugees before World War II. In 2013, when the southeast Asian country was hit by the devastating Typhoon Haiyan, an Israeli team of experts in search, rescue and medicine immediately headed there to provide their assistance.

Harpaz is excited and ready for his new challenge.