What makes a friendship last?

Diplomatic relations may begin with the stroke of a pen, but true friendship is forged over generations. It is tested by history, strengthened by trust, and sustained by people who choose to stand beside one another.

Tomorrow, Israel and the Philippines will mark Friendship Day, observed every August 9 to commemorate the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1957. On the eve of this occasion, it is worth asking a simple question: What makes a friendship last? For Israel and the Philippines, the answer begins long before ambassadors presented credentials or governments signed agreements. It began with moral courage.

It is fitting that we celebrate Friendship Day in the month Filipinos honor the late President Manuel L. Quezon. Before diplomatic relations existed, he opened the Philippines to more than a thousand Jewish refugees fleeing Nazi persecution. Less than a decade later, the Philippines voted in favor of the establishment of the State of Israel at the United Nations. These were not merely diplomatic decisions. They reflected both courage and compassion.

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History remembers treaties. People remember humanity. Israelis remember these acts with profound gratitude, and they remain the foundation of the deep friendship between our people.

I did not learn about this friendship from history books. I experienced it firsthand throughout my first year in the Philippines. I have discovered that the greatest strength of our relationship lies not only in history, but in people. Traveling across Luzon, the Visayas, and Mindanao—from Ilocos Norte in the north to Davao in the south, and from Siargao in the east to Puerto Princesa in the west, I met inspiring leaders, entrepreneurs, educators, faith leaders, and local communities. Everywhere I found resilience and optimism, qualities that Israelis know well. Despite our different histories and cultures, our peoples share a remarkable ability to overcome challenges and look to the future with hope. That is why I believe our friendship will continue to grow for generations.

These experiences reinforced a simple truth: Lasting friendships are built one relationship at a time.

One lesson has become clear: friendship is never static. It must continue to grow and create opportunities for future generations. In his State of the Nation Address, President Marcos presented a vision of a more innovative, resilient and food-secure Philippines. It is a vision in which Israel hopes to be a trusted partner.

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The next day, I witnessed that vision in action at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Tech Summit and during SecurePH, the joint cybersecurity initiative led by our embassy together with the Department of Information and Communications Technology. They showed me that the next chapter of Israel-Philippines relations will be written not only by diplomats, but also by entrepreneurs, researchers, engineers, educators, and young innovators.

Today our cooperation spans cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, water, agriculture, education, health care and advanced technologies that strengthen resilience and create opportunities for both nations.

Every lasting friendship begins with trust. Trust is earned through reliability and shared experience. In today’s interconnected world, trust also depends on secure digital systems. Cybersecurity protects the confidence that allows societies, economies and innovation to thrive.

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Israel has learned, often through necessity, how innovation builds resilience. We share that experience with trusted partners. The Philippines brings exceptional talent and creativity. Together, Israeli innovation and Filipino ingenuity can build stronger and more secure societies.

For me, this is diplomacy at its best: honoring a proud history while building its next chapter together.

Just days ago, I stood before a thousand Filipinos gathered in prayer for Israel in Bulacan. Looking across the hall, I realized I was standing not before an audience, but among friends, united in hope for peace and the enduring friendship between our nations. In that moment, history became personal. Friendship lives not only in treaties, but in people who choose solidarity and hope.

That evening, I shared a simple idea that captures the spirit of our friendship: P.A.C.T.—Pray for one another. Act together. Come and visit one another. Teach the next generation why this friendship matters.

As Israel and the Philippines celebrate Friendship Day tomorrow and look ahead to 70 years of diplomatic relations next year, we honor an extraordinary past while embracing an even more promising future.

Our friendship has endured because it has always been built on trust. The trust that inspired President Quezon to open his country’s doors, the trust that led the Philippines to support Israel’s birth, and the trust we continue to strengthen through cooperation, innovation and people-to-people ties.

History has given us remarkable chapters. It is now our responsibility to write the next ones with the same courage, compassion, and vision.

Friendship is not measured by the years that pass, but by the trust that grows with every passing year.

That, to me, is what makes Israel–Philippines friendship last.

And I have every confidence that the finest chapters of our friendship are still ahead of us. —————-

Dana Kursh is ambassador of the State of Israel to the Philippines.