The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) announced on Monday, June 30, that it has lowered the crisis alert level in Israel from 3 (voluntary repatriation) to 2 (restriction phase) effective immediately because of the improved security situation in the country.
DFA lowers alert level in Israel to 2 amid improved security
Philippine Ambassador to Israel Aileen Mendiola-Rau visits the Filipino hotel workers affected by the Israel-Iran conflict in Arad, southern Israel. (Photo from Philippine Embassy in Israel)
The statement was made amid the United States-brokered ceasefire with Iran that has held for five days now.
“In view of the positive developments in the security situation in Israel, the Department of Foreign Affairs lowers the Alert Level in Israel from Level 3 (Voluntary Repatriation) to Level 2 (Restriction Phase), effective immediately,” the statement read.
However, the agency added that it will still “closely monitor the situation in the region and >font-family: Gilroy; display: inline !important;>will update the Alert Levels, as necessary.”
Last week, Philippine Ambassador to Israel Aileen Mendiola-Rau recommended downgrading the crisis alert level in Israel because normal day-to-day activities have resumed in the country, which got in a 12-day war with Iran over the latter’s nuclear program.
Based on the latest report from the Philippine Embassy in Israel on June 29, a total of eight Filipinos have been injured in Iran’s missile attacks on Israel. One remains in critical condition.
About 149 have been displaced after they lost their homes because of the missile impact. Of this number, 131 have been transferred to temporary housing and Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) shelters, while 18 are being processed for resettlement.
Since crisis alert level 3 was raised in Israel amid its conflict with Iran, some 26 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) have signed up for voluntary repatriation, with the second batch composed of some 20 Filipinos arriving home soon from Tel Aviv as airspace has opened there.
Another 100 Filipino pilgrims and students were repatriated earlier, while 75 have been confirmed as the next batch of repatriates.
Aside from the Philippine government’s repatriation program, the embassy has extended various forms of assistance—emergency financial assistance, provision of temporary shelter, relief packages containing food, clothes, and hygiene products—to some 567 Filipinos.
A total of 201 Filipinos also received psychosocial support and counselling.