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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider 'Arrest them': Israeli envoy urges strict action vs misbehaving tourists after viral Siargao incident

'Arrest them': Israeli envoy urges strict action vs misbehaving tourists after viral Siargao incident

Published Apr 24, 2026 02:40 pm
Israeli Ambassador Dana Kursh calls for strict enforcement of Philippine laws against misbehaving foreign tourists following a viral incident in Siargao. (Merlina Hernando-Malipot / Manila Bulletin)
Israeli Ambassador Dana Kursh calls for strict enforcement of Philippine laws against misbehaving foreign tourists following a viral incident in Siargao. (Merlina Hernando-Malipot / Manila Bulletin)
Israeli Ambassador to the Philippines Dana Kursh has called for the firm enforcement of Philippine laws against foreign tourists who engage in misconduct, following reports of incidents in Siargao.
“We want to say this loud and clear: If there is an Israeli tourist who is misbehaving, the relevant Filipino authorities should enforce the law—because they need to enforce the law,” Kursh said during a media brunch on April 23, a day after Israel marked its 78th Independence Day.
Call for respect
The ambassador stressed that all visitors must respect local laws, culture, and communities, especially after viral social media posts showed alleged misconduct by some Israeli tourists in the popular surfing destination.
“We are guests here,” Kursh said, emphasizing that the Philippines is an “amazing host” known for its hospitality. “It is important for everyone to respect culture, religion, and the community if you are coming here,” she added.
Kursh clarified the distinction between consular assistance—which supports nationals in distress—and accountability, stressing that embassies should not intervene to shield individuals who violate local laws.
“As an Israeli diplomat in the Philippines, my goal is to protect citizens if they are in distress. But I am saying very loud and clear: If they are misbehaving, that’s not distress… they should be either arrested or punished under the laws of the Philippines,” she said.
She emphasized that authorities should impose penalties, including arrest or fines, when laws are violated. “If there is an Israeli tourist who misbehaves, enforce the relevant laws,” Kursh said.
Kursh cited bridge-jumping as an example, urging authorities to penalize those who ignore safety warnings.
Social media can amplify incidents
At the same time, Kursh cautioned against generalizing about all Israeli tourists based on isolated incidents, noting how social media can “amplify” such cases.
She added that many Israelis visit the Philippines each year, often forming close ties with Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in Israel.
“There are thousands of Israelis who come to the Philippines and visit the provinces of OFWs who are taking care of their parents, as they have become like family,” Kursh said. “We cherish the thousands of islands you have here; we cherish the people,” she added.
The envoy also acknowledged that tourism brings both opportunities and challenges, particularly as increased visitor arrivals can affect local communities and livelihoods.
“Tourism has opportunities and challenges,” she said. “To paint everyone based on a few cases—that is something we should not do,” she added, urging the public to avoid stereotyping.
Kursh said she plans to visit Siargao to meet local authorities and reinforce responsible tourism among Israeli visitors. She will also coordinate with Israeli media to remind travelers of their responsibilities.
Her remarks highlight the ongoing conversation on responsible tourism, cultural respect, and the enforcement of Philippine laws in top destinations. 
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Related Tags

Siargao tourist controversy foreign tourist behavior Philippines Dana Kursh Israeli ambassador responsible tourism Philippines tourism law enforcement
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