Israel’s Ambassador to Manila, Ilan Fluss, has assured the Philippines that the safety and security of Filipinos residing in Israel remain a paramount concern amid the ongoing exchange of missile attacks with Iran. Speaking in an online press conference Saturday night, Fluss urged Filipinos to adhere strictly to instructions from Israel’s Home Front Command, emphasizing these guidelines are designed to save lives.

“The safety and security of Filipinos in Israel is top priority,” Ambassador Fluss stated. “We are committed to make sure that the Filipinos in Israel are safe and are getting the same treatment as any other Israeli and any other person in the state of Israel… we care about every life.”

The Israeli envoy also commented on the calls for de-escalation, noting that Israel desires it but only once the “imminent, direct, and immediate threat to Israel and the Israelis” has been removed. This threat, he clarified, refers to Iran’s nuclear program, missile program, and its alleged plans to eliminate the state of Israel. He reiterated Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s message that Israel’s operations are directed against the Iranian regime’s aggressive programs, not against the Iranian people.

Philippine government responds

In response to the escalating situation, the Philippine Embassy in Tel Aviv has activated its crisis management team. Philippine Ambassador to Israel Aileen Mendiola is personally overseeing efforts to monitor developments, coordinate with both Israeli and Philippine authorities, and ensure timely advisories and support reach Filipinos in the country. The Embassy urged the Filipino community to follow Israeli Defense Force Home Front Command’s security guidelines and the Embassy’s safety advisories, and to remain alert.

Ambassador Mendiola, during a Radyo Pilipinas interview on Saturday morning, confirmed Israel’s continued interception of Iranian missile strikes. The envoy herself had to take shelter during the interview as air raid sirens blared in Tel Aviv, where she noted sirens had sounded at least 12 times on Friday alone. Mendiola highlighted that Israel is currently facing security challenges on “seven fronts,” with the conflict involving Iran being the most pressing.

Filipino community and conflict overview

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has stated that no Filipino has been reported hurt in the missile exchanges so far. As per the latest DFA data, there are 30,742 Filipinos in Israel and approximately 1,180 in Iran, many of whom are married to Iranian nationals.

The current hostilities mark the first time Israel and Iran have directly traded fire with such intensity, following decades of proxy conflicts. This escalation comes after Israel launched “unprecedented” strikes on Iranian nuclear and military targets on Friday, which Iran claimed killed 78 people, including senior commanders and civilians. Iran retaliated with waves of drone and missile strikes that reportedly killed three people and wounded dozens in Israel. The crisis has prompted some regional countries to temporarily ground air traffic, although Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria reopened their airspace on Saturday morning.

For emergency assistance, Filipinos in Israel can reach the Philippine Embassy’s 24/7 emergency hotline at +972 54 4661188 or via email at telaviv.pe@dfa.gov.ph.