GORDON CONVINCED THAT RESOLUTION WILL PROMOTE, SUPPORT AND ENHANCE PHILIPPINES-ISRAEL RELATIONS

Senator Richard J. Gordon, welcoming his colleagues' support, has expressed conviction that the resolution adopted by the Senate on Tuesday will foster closer and enhanced Philippines-Israel relations.

Gordon, who sponsored Senate Resolution No. 757, said an association among parliamentarians from the Philippines and Israel will pave the way for regular discussions on matters of mutual interest and areas of mutual cooperation between the two nations.

"I was surprised that after more than 60 years since diplomatic relations was formally established between our two countries, with 17 various bilateral agreements forged, we still don't have a parliamentary friendship association. Closer relations between Filipino and Israeli parliamentarians will help sustain the robust bilateral ties and strategic relationship between our nations," he said.

Senate Resolution No. 757, which Gordon introduced last May 30, expresses the sense of the Senate to fully promote, support and enhance the Philippines-Israel relations, a Philippines-Israel Parliamentary Friendship Association be established.

All 22 senators present at Tuesday's session committed their membership and expressed commitment to work on getting the association off the ground at the soonest time possible.

Gordon and Israel's Knesset Deputy Speaker Nava Boker agreed to establish the Philippines-Israel Parliamentary Friendship Association in April 2018.

Israel is a developed country, known for its high-technology designs and manufactures, and is considered as the start-up nation; its diverse market economy includes agricultural, service, tourism, high-technology, textiles, and diamond sectors. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced that it aspires to be the world's 15th largest economy by 2025.