Duterte ends Israel trip with visit to monument honoring PHL open door policy to Jews

President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday ended his historic four-day trip to Israel with a visit to the monument which was built to commemorate the humanitarian assistance extended by the Philippines to Jews during World War II.

Duterte laid a wreath at the Open Doors monument in Rishion LeZion Holocaust Memorial Park located just off Tel Aviv. He was accompanied at the site by his daughter, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte Carpio.

Unveiled in June 2009, the monument designed by Filipino artist Luis “Junyee” Yee, Jr., features three open doors in increasing heights to symbolize the open door policy of former President Manuel L. Quezon to Jews escaping the Holocaust in the late 1930s.

The open doors have triangular patterns that represent the triangles of the Philippine flag and two triangles of the star of David in the Israeli flag.

After the tour, Duterte and his delegation flew to neighboring Jordan for another official visit.

Duterte’s trip to Israel was the first for a Philippine leader since diplomatic relations were established in 1957.

During the trip, Duterte met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Israeli President Reuven Rivlin.

He also visited the Yad Vashem, Israel’s largest Holocaust memorial, as he expressed hope that the world would learn the lessons of the “horrific and benighted period of human history.”

Government to government agreements on science, labor and investment were also inked.

Filipino and Israeli businesses, meanwhile, signed investment deals worth $82.9 million that could generate 790 jobs. — BAP, GMA News