Manila: The Philippine government will soon send overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) to Israel, after the department of foreign affairs lifted a travel ban to Israel which also affected its policy on the hiring of OFWs for Israel, a government statement said, adding this was done because of improved security following the ceasefire between Israeli and Hamas.
“In view of improved security conditions in Israel and Gaza Strip as a result of the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, the foreign affairs department has also lifted a travel ban to Gaza and central and southern Israel which was issued on 23 November 2012,” the statement said.
OFWs would be allowed to return to Israel if they come home for the holiday season. The processing of the papers of newly hired OFWs will soon begin. The lifting of the travel ban also means there will be no more repatriation of OFWs in Gaza, said a senior official of the department of foreign affairs who requested for anonymity.
Last month, Manila’s foreign affairs department placed alert levels on several parts of Israel. Alert level two was placed on central and southern Israel, which meant a restriction phase or no deployment of newly hired OFWs; alert level four was placed on Gaza, which meant mandatory repatriation of all OFWs there.
About 41,000 OFWs are based in Israel, majority work as caregivers. About 120 OFWs are also based in Gaza.
Manila-based Israeli Ambassador Menashe Bar-on had asked the Philippine government to lift the travel the ban.
