04 April, 2006
The Philippines is to be recognized for its role in aiding Jewish refugees escape Nazi Germans in World War II. The Philippine embassy in Israel has said the Israeli city of Rishon LeZion, near Tel Aviv, would set up a monument at the Israeli Holocaust Memorial Yad Vashem in recognition of the humanitarian assistance that the Philippines, particularly its former president Manuel Quezon, extended to thousands of Jews during the Holocaust. Ambassador Antonio Modena said that the mayor of Rishon LeZion was committed to propose the erection of a monument at "Avenue of the Righteous Among Nations" at the Holocaust Memorial, which is dedicated to individual citizens from 32 countries. The mayor informed Modena that not many people in Israel were even aware of the Philippines "for its acts of compassion" in saving Jews from the Nazi onslaught.