LOOK: President Marcos meets with Israel foreign minister for environmental partnership boost

Israel Foreign Minister Eliyahu Cohen pays a courtesy on President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday at the Malacañan Palace. Cohen is in the Philippines for a two-day visit where he would meet with Philippine officials on several issues. (Photo from PPA pool)

MANILA, Philippines — Israel’s Foreign Minister Eliyahu Cohen paid a courtesy call on President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Monday at the Malacañan Palace, as the Israeli official visits the Philippines for a series of engagements.

Photos from the Presidential Photojournalists Association pool showed Cohen shaking Marcos’ hand.  Cohen arrived in the Philippines on Sunday and will stay until Monday

Earlier, Cohen met with his Philippine counterpart — Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo — to discuss and sign a memorandum of understanding to boost both countries’ efforts in addressing environmental challenges.

READ: Philippines, Israel ink environmental protection deal

Cohen’s visit to the country coincides with the 65th anniversary of the two countries’ friendly relations.  Just last May 15, the House of Representatives approved on the third and final reading a bill that would set August 9 as the Philippine-Israel Friendship Day.

According to House Bill No. 7763, August 9 was selected for the Philippine-Israel Friendship Day to commemorate the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two nations, which started when former president Manuel Quezon allowed Jews, who were escaping Nazi Germany’s Holocaust during the Second World War, to seek refuge in the Philippines.

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READ: House approves Philippines-Israel Day bill