The attack included over 400 launches: 170 UAVs, 120 ballistic missiles, and 30 cruise missiles, launched from Iran (about 285 drones and missiles), Yemen (Houthis), Iraq, Syria and Lebanon (Hezbollah – over 100 rockets).

“In recent years, and especially in recent weeks, Israel has been preparing for a direct attack by Iran. Our defensive systems are deployed; we are ready for any scenario, both defensively and offensively,” Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu stressed. “Whoever harms us, we will harm them. We will defend ourselves against any threat and will do so level-headedly and with determination,” PM Netanyahu added.

In a concerning development linked to these hostilities, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has seized a Portuguese civilian cargo ship MCS Aries with four Filipino seafarers on board. The IRGC also took part in the unprecedented missile attacks toward Israel.

Minister of Foreign Affairs, MFA Katz, expressed, “The Ayatollah regime is a criminal regime that supports Hamas’ crimes and is now conducting a pirate operation in violation of international law. I call on the European Union and the free world to immediately declare the Iranian Revolutionary Guards corps as a terrorist organization and to sanction Iran now.”

For many years even before the October 7th massacre by Hamas in Israel, Iran has been funding, training, and providing weapons and missiles to this terror organization. This recent attack is yet another manifestation of Iran’s overt emergence as a state sponsor of terror.

“This unprovoked aggression is a clear example of Iran’s desire to destroy Israel and illustrates the global threat posed by a potentially nuclear-armed Iran. Iran makes declarations and acts to destroy the State of Israel. No country in the world would tolerate repeated threats to its existence,” Ambassador of Israel to the Philippines H.E. Ilan Fluss said.

Israel’s iron dome once again successfully defended Israel in the face of an unprecedented attack by Iran. “This symbolizes our nation’s resilience and technological edge,” Ambassador Fluss said. The Iron Dome, Arrow system, air force planes, and other professional and sophisticated Israeli defense systems took part in this historic operation of effective air defense.

“Israel is committed to defending itself against all threats and calls upon its allies and the international community to stand together in condemning Iran’s terror actions,” Ambassador Fluss added.

In his statement he said, “The right of Israel to defend itself and its citizens against acts of terror is unequivocal and non-negotiable. Every sovereign nation has the inherent duty to protect its citizens, and Israel is no exception. Any attempts to undermine this right are an affront to the principles of self-defense and national security.”

“We call for the immediate and unconditional release of the Palestinian people and all of the hostages from the oppressive grip of Hamas. The Hamas terrorist group has repeatedly demonstrated its disregard for human rights, is using its citizens as human shields and has been responsible for countless acts of violence against innocent civilians, including Filipinos.”

The international community must take decisive action against Hamas, designating it as a terror organization to disrupt its funding, which comes primarily from Iran. The founding charter of Hamas, advocating for Israel’s destruction and the murder of all Jews from all over the world, aligns with a modern Nazi regime. Rejecting peace negotiations, Hamas perpetuates an endless cycle of violence and bloodshed.

Contrary to misconceptions and false information, Israel is not occupying Gaza; the war is with the terrorist organization Hamas, not the Palestinian people. Israel is not occupying Gaza and has no plans of occupying Gaza. Unfortunately Hamas is the government of Gaza.

We demand the immediate release of all hostages – including babies, women, and elderly people – and the dismantling of terror facilities threatening not only the safety and security of Israeli citizens, but also the world, including the Philippines.

Hamas is ISIS.

In photo from left: Israeli Ambassador Ilan Fluss, ICCP President Yoray Ofek, and Israel’s Honorary Consul to Cebu Ms. Emily Chioson turnovers the sacks of rice to Talisay Mayor Samsam Gullas

Israeli diplomats personally extended assistance to residents affected by Typhoon Odette that wreaked havoc to the Philippines. Initial donations were turned over to Cebu and Bohol. 

Ambassador Ilan Fluss flew to Cebu to donate four solar energy systems, food packs, and hygiene kits to the typhoon-hit residents. The Israel Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines headed by Mr. Yoray Ofek also shared sacks of rice for Talisay, Cebu. Meanwhile, Deputy Chief of Mission Nir Balzam went to Bohol to turnover one unit of NUF portable water purifier, four solar energy systems, food packs, and hygiene kits. The turnover of donations in these areas were held on December 22.

“The State of Israel and the people of Israel are saddened to see the damage caused to human life, property, and resources caused by Typhoon Odette. We would like to express our sympathies and we would want the Filipinos to know that we stand by them. We are here to assist in every way that we can,” Ambassador Fluss said. The Israeli Ambassador also extended his condolences to the bereaved families of the casualties of the typhoon.

“The solar panels will be useful for areas which don’t have power supply yet. This technology is ready to use and low-maintenance,” Ambassador Fluss mentioned.

“Aside from the issues on power supply, we noticed that typhoon-hit areas also experience shortage in potable water. This Israeli-made portable water purifier will give them access to clean drinking water,” Mr. Balzam explained.

Cebu and Bohol are two of the areas frequently visited by Israeli tourists in the Philippines. “I hope that they will recover soon and continue to feature the beauty and rich culture of these places,” Ambassador Fluss said. “It is important for a foreign diplomat like me to personally deliver this assistance to reach out to the communities and let them know that we are always ready to offer a helping hand,” he added.

Around 2,000 families received the food packs and hygiene kits. The embassy is also donating one unit of NUF portable water purifier, four solar energy systems, food packs, and hygiene kits to Siargao. 

Ambassador-designate Ilan Fluss finally presented to President Rodrigo Roa Duterte his credentials as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Israel to the Republic of the Philippines at Malacañang Palace on 20 October 2021.

Ambassador Fluss formerly served as Deputy Chief of Mission at the Israeli Embassy in Manila from 1995 to 1998.

“I am honored to be back in the Philippines, this time as the Ambassador of the State of Israel. I am excited to take on this new role in the Philippines as my first assignment in this capacity,” Ambassador Fluss shared.

Ambassador Fluss noted the very warm and friendly relations between Israel and the Philippines, which was strengthened further by the historic visit of President Duterte to Israel in 2018. Since then, significant developments have been achieved in the fields of economy, agriculture, tourism, among others.

“Mr. President, innovation and technologies are not the future – they are the present – and the development of more cooperation in this field is one of my main goals for the years ahead. The goal of our partnership is to create sustainable development, improve lives, create jobs, generate income, and enable the transfer of relevant know-how and technologies,” Ambassador Fluss said during his speech.

Ambassador Fluss hopes to make substantial contributions to the furthering of the countries’ friendship and partnership, and to the continued work towards the prosperity of Israel and the Philippines.

Ambassador Fluss was born in December 1965 in Haifa, Israel. He served in the Israeli navy for five years. He graduated from the University of Haifa with a degree in psychology and Israel studies, and an MBA from the University of Derby. He joined the foreign service in 1994 where, since then, he represented Israel in a variety of capacities.

He served successively as Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of Israel in the Philippines (1995 – 1998), Spokesperson and Cultural Attaché at the Embassy of Israel in the Hague, Netherlands (1998 – 2000), served in the Ministry’s Asian Division (2000 – 2004), Acting Ambassador and later on, as the Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of Israel in Pretoria, South Africa, (while in South Africa he was also responsible for Israel’s diplomatic relations with Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, and Swaziland), Counsellor at the Permanent Mission of Israel to the UN (2006), Director for Policy Planning and External Relations and later on as Deputy Head of MASHAV (2009 – 2016), special envoy for the Bureau of the Director General (2016 – 2018), and eventually as the Deputy Head of the Economic Division at Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (2018 – 2021). He was appointed as the Israeli Ambassador to the Philippines in October 2021. He is married to his wife, Gila, and has four children.