Israel Pledges Equal Protection to Foreigners Amid Escalating Attacks
As tensions between Israel and Iran intensify, the safety of foreign nationals within Israel, including Filipinos, has become a primary concern. Ilan Fluss, Israel’s Ambassador to the Philippines, has assured that all foreign citizens will receive the same protective measures as Israeli citizens amidst the ongoing conflict.
Protection Measures
Ambassador Fluss affirmed that Israelis and non-citizens alike will receive the same level of protection. The recent attacks, which began Friday night, were retaliatory strikes from Tehran following an Israeli military action that resulted in the deaths of key Iranian figures and targeted nuclear sites. Three fatalities have been reported so far.
“Israel is defending itself, and we have a lot of air defense systems that are operational. Unfortunately, of course, we do have missiles that did hit the targets in Israel,”
—Ilan Fluss, Israel Ambassador to the Philippines
The Department of Foreign Affairs has stated that no Filipinos have been reported injured in the air strikes. According to the latest data, approximately 30,742 Filipinos reside in Israel, while another 1,180 are in Iran, with a majority married to Iranian nationals.
Strategic Concerns
Fluss highlighted the necessity of the military action due to the “existential threat” posed by Iran, citing its rapidly developing nuclear program and ballistic missile capabilities. Iran now has enough enriched uranium for nine nuclear bombs, according to estimates. In response to the increasing attacks, Israel’s airspace was immediately shut down.
The escalation of attacks has generated significant worry about a potential regional conflict. Israelis worldwide have been advised to be cautious and refrain from displaying Jewish or Israeli symbols publicly. Fluss mentioned that the Israeli Embassy in Manila continues to operate while monitoring the unfolding situation.
The situation remains fluid, and the global community is watching closely. Increased tensions have caused a spike in oil prices in international markets, reflecting the global economic impact of these developments (Energy Information Administration, 2024).
