Philippines rescinds ban on sending workers to Israel

Report says Israeli Embassy had been lobbying Manila for the move since Pillar of Defense ended

Manila rescinded on Friday a ban on Filipinos traveling to Israel as foreign workers, which was put in place as a result of Operation Pillar of Defense.

The Israeli Embassy in the Philippines had been lobbying the government to remove the order, according to Israel Radio, since the start of the US/Egyptian-brokered ceasefire, which took effect on November 21.

Philippine Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz had cited the country’s concern for the safety of its citizens in announcing the ban, issued by the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA).

During the 8-day conflict between the IDF and the Hamas terrorist organization in the Gaza Strip, some 1,500 rockets and missiles were fired into Israel, placing millions of Israelis in grave imminent danger.

Approximately 300,000 Filipinos currently reside and work in Israel. Many workers feared leaving Israel since the institution of the ban for fear that they would not be allowed to return.