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| Laoag Mayor Michael M. Keon, flanked by other Laoag officials, meet with Israeli Ambassador Rafael Harpaz during the envoy’s visit to the city. (Doms dela Cruz) |
By Dominic B. dela Cruz
Staff Reporter
Laoag City— Israeli Ambassador to the Philippines Rafael Harpaz visited this city on September 3, 2019.
During his visit he paid a courtesy call to Laoag Mayor Michael M. Keon.
Mr. Harpaz, who was with his spouse, Shulamit Harpaz, said he was so thankful that he finally visited the cities of Laoag and Vigan, sharing that he knows that there are also caregivers from Laoag working in Israel.
During his meeting with Mr. Keon,he said that he is inspired by the mayor’s dedication, vision and a bright future for Laoag City.
He said he was also amazed and inspired by tourist sites in the city and the province, mentioning the La Paz Sand Dunes and the windmill farm in Bangui.
He disclosed that just like the Philippines, Israel has also lot of tourists from all over the world because of their tourist attractions. But on top of it all, he said he is inspired and appreciates the hospitality and services of the Filipinos.
Mr. Harpaz wanted to share the agriculture technologies especially on irrigation in Israel that he wishes the Philippines will adopt.
Relative to this, he said is willing to send trainers here to Laoag, or invite the city’s agriculture technicians to study the agricultural and water technologies in Israel.
In reply to this, Mr. Keon said he also wants some of the city’s agriculture technician to send to Israel to study their technologies in terms of their irrigation technique.
“They have a problem of water in Israel and here we have too much water. He was amazed by the rainfall here and he wishes to have also a rainfall in Israel like here in Laoag but despite that fact, they still survive because they have special irrigation technique,” Mr. Keon stated.
Mr. Keon also wanted to exchange ideas in culture and to further study their anti-terrorism techniques.
Israel is one of the smallest countries in the world having a population of 9 million population with an approximate 20,770 square meters land area.
One of the best tourist spots in Israel is the Jerusalem.
The heart of Israel beats strongly at Jerusalem, one of the oldest cities in the world. Though it’s known as the City of Peace, it has a violent history. It’s been attacked 52 times, destroyed twice and besieged 23 times. It is considered a holy city by three major religions: Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Its historic Old City is divided into four quarters: Jewish, Christian, Armenian and Muslim. Here you can walk in Jesus’ footsteps on the Via Dolorosa’ pray at the Western Wall; see the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, where Christians believe Jesus is buried, and tour the Tower of David, a medieval citadel.
Jerusalem is considered a holy city by three major religions: Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Its historic Old City is divided into four quarters: Jewish, Christian, Armenian and Muslim. Here you can walk in Jesus’ footsteps on the Via Dolorosa’ pray at the Western Wall; see the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, where Christians believe Jesus is buried, and tour the Tower of David, a medieval citadel.
Other tourist spots are Nazareth, Caesarea, Ramon Crater, Haifa, Sea of Galilee, Tel Aviv, Eilat, Dead Sea and Masada.