The Embassy of Israel in the Philippines commemorates the victims of the tragedy on 7 October 2023. The Israeli Embassy recognizes the Filipino workers in that Hamas inflicted the tragedy. The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) join in recognition of these brave souls.
The second Commemoration Day was held in Makati City on 4 November 2025. Remembering the Israelis and Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) who fell victim to the Hamas terrorists. There were 1,219 people killed during the Simchat Torah holiday. Hamas took 251 hostages, who are mostly Israelis. Among the hostages are also Filipinos near the Gaza border.
The Israeli Embassy, with the DMW and OWWA, honors these Filipino victims. We remember the six OFWs who died. The rescued three Filipino hostages join this commemoration.
Flags were raised and two national anthems were sung as a sign of salute. Two religious ceremonies, one Hebrew and one Catholic, were held for the brave souls involved in the tragic incident. Outside the venue is an exhibit that pays tribute to the victims. Among them are the Filipinos who paid for their life.
Israeli Ambassador Dana Kursh gave a heartfelt speech to the victims’ Filipino families. She invited the audience to connect to their pain and loss. She said, “Imagine being a parent waiting endlessly, a child who will never see a mother again, a friend whose laughter is gone forever. Before I became a diplomat, I served as a captain in the Israeli Defense Forces, responsible for bereaved families of fallen soldiers. It was my duty — and my privilege — to visit them through the years, to remind them that neither the IDF nor the State of Israel ever forgets them. And yet, this role never made me immune.
Even now, as an ambassador, moments like today’s ceremony remain among the hardest for me – because remembrance always carries love, loss, and longing.” Yet, these Filipino workers stood with Israelis. The Ambassador calls them as Angels of Compassion.
A rescued Filipino hostage shared his experience on stage. Gelienor “Jimmy” Pacheco was brave to share what he went through. Mr. Pacheco was in captivity for 49 days. He was a caregiver to an elderly Israeli living near the border of Gaza. As the attack happened, he saw the Hamas terrorists just outside their home. His Abba, father in Hebrew, asked him to leave him behind. However, Mr. Pacheco refused to leave him. As the gunned men raided their home he was taken hostage. During his captivity, he experienced the horror of Hamas. At one point, he was forced to kneel, and a gun was pointed at him. He thought he would die. Occasionally, his captors would repeat it randomly in a dark place. Until Israel’s Yamam rescued him.
Two more Filipino hostages who were rescued joined the Commemoration Day. All three Filipinos were honored for their resilience and bravery. The DMW and OWWA joined Ambassador Kursh to honor these Filipinos.
DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac shared his respect for these Filipino workers. He tells the audience that these stories remind us of the Filipino Spirit. The story of hope and resilience is the Filipino Spirit. Now, the Secretary sees some happiness among the victims’ families. He said, “In the Philippine culture, there’s hope when there are children. So the news coming from Jimmy today for his newborn. Congratulations!”
The ceremony concluded with the recognition of the three rescued Filipinos on stage. A song from X-Factor Israel 2014 Winner Rose Fostanes. She sings “New Day Will Rise” from Israeli songwriter Keren Peles. The songwriter is an advocate for the plight of the hostages and their families.
