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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Israel Embassy holds dialogue with Siargao business owners over tourist behavior concerns

Israel Embassy holds dialogue with Siargao business owners over tourist behavior concerns

Published May 15, 2026 02:19 pm
Israeli Ambassador Dana Kursh and Consul Moti Cohen join a Zoom dialogue with more than 70 business owners in Siargao to address concerns raised by the local business community and reaffirm respect for Philippine laws and local culture. (Photo from The Embassy of Israel in the Philippines)
Israeli Ambassador Dana Kursh and Consul Moti Cohen join a Zoom dialogue with more than 70 business owners in Siargao to address concerns raised by the local business community and reaffirm respect for Philippine laws and local culture. (Photo from The Embassy of Israel in the Philippines)
The Embassy of Israel in the Philippines held an online dialogue with more than 70 business owners in Siargao to strengthen communication and address concerns involving tourist behavior on the island.
The virtual meeting via Zoom on May 14 followed the recent visit of Israeli Ambassador Dana Kursh and Consul Moti Cohen to Siargao, during which they met with local government officials and community representatives.
During the discussion, business owners and stakeholders raised concerns and questions regarding tourism and visitor conduct.
Kursh and Consul Cohen addressed the issues and reiterated that all foreign visitors are expected to respect Philippine laws, local culture, and community values.
The embassy reaffirmed that “all visitors are expected to respect Philippine laws, local culture, and community values,” while emphasizing that the majority of Israeli visitors deeply appreciate Siargao, its people, and Filipino hospitality.
Meanwhile, the embassy encouraged members of the community to properly report incidents or concerns to local authorities to ensure that appropriate action can be taken when necessary.
The Embassy also encouraged “concerns or incidents to be properly reported to local authorities” and reiterated its commitment to promoting greater awareness among future Israeli travelers about Philippine culture, customs, and responsible tourism.
The dialogue was part of ongoing efforts to maintain open communication between the Israeli community and local stakeholders in Siargao, one of the Philippines’ top tourist destinations. 
RELATED STORY: 
https://mb.com.ph/2026/04/24/arrest-them-israeli-envoy-urges-strict-action-vs-misbehaving-tourists-after-viral-siargao-incident

Related Tags

Siargao Israel Embassy Israeli Tourists Philippine Tourism Responsible Tourism
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