(Eagle News) – One of those who escaped from the Holocaust who sought refuge in the Philippines in 1941 was among those who welcomed Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte when he visited the “Open Doors Monument” in Israel at the end of his four-day visit in the Jewish State.
The monument in Rishon Lezion, Israel stood for the courage and humanitarianism of the Filipino people during World War II in providing a haven to more than 1,200 Jews
Max Weissler, now 88 years old, was only 11 when he found refuge in the Philippines after fleeing the Holocaust in Europe in 1941. He grew up in the Philippines and now lives in Hasharon, Israel.
“The message is that when we came to Manila, they accepted us nicely and took care of us. Now we are settled,” the Filipino-speaking Jew said when asked for his message by the media prior to the ceremony.
Duterte ended his official visit to the Jewish state by laying a wreath of flowers at the Open Doors Monument on Wednesday, September 5.
The monument is a testament to the “open door” policy of the Philippine Commonwealth under then President Manuel L. Quezon, who welcomed thousands of Jewish people fleeing the Holocaust in Europe in 1939. Quezon issued 10,000 visas to Jewish immigrants escaping the Nazi genocide.
President Duterte arrived at the monument past 3 p.m. (Israel time) accompanied by daughter Davao City Mayor Sara Zimmerman Duterte and Cabinet officials who are part of his official delegation.
The President and his daughter laid a wreath at the monument, which was unveiled on June 21, 2009, at the 65-hectare Holocaust Memorial Park in Rishon Lezion, Israel
After this, Weissler had a photo taken with President Duterte and daughter Zimmerman.
The monument —- a geometric, seven-meter-high sculpture —- was designed by Filipino artist Luis “Junyee” Yee Jr. The three open doors, in increasing heights, symbolize the courage and humanitarianism of the Filipino people in providing haven to 1,200 Jews.
The base of the monument is made of a special slab of marble shipped to Israel from the island of Romblon in the Philippines. The marble bears footprints of Weissler, George Loewenstein (one of the Jews who sought refuge in the Philippines in 1939), and Doryliz Goffer (a 10-year-old Filipino-Israeli born in the Philippines and a granddaughter of Holocaust survivors), representing the continuing friendship between the Philippines and Israel.
The triangular patterns of the open doors represent the triangles of the Philippine flag and the triangles of the star of David in the Israeli flag that were joined to mark the close and friendly relations between the Philippines and Israel as the two nations celebrated the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations in August 2007.
The light represents the sun for the hope and the hospitality of the Filipino people as they welcomed the Jews during the Holocaust. The doors are painted brown to represent the Filipinos’ Malay race.
Before leaving, the President greeted several overseas Filipino workers waiting for him outside the venue, telling them to reciprocate the hospitality of the Israel government.
“I’ve heard that you are treated the best here. That is something which we should be proud of, that we are almost a special class of people to the State of Israel. Now, the only thing that I can advise you is that you are here as guests and you follow the rules and avoid [trouble],” he said.
The wreath-laying ceremony at the Open Doors Monument was the last event that President Duterte attended in Israel on Wednesday, September 5, before flying to Jordan for a three-day official visit.
Duterte is the first sitting Philippine president to visit both Israel and Jordan.
(with a PND release)