December 10, 1969

EXCHANGE OF NOTES BETWEEN THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES AND ISRAEL ON THE ABOLITION OF TRANSIT AND VISITOR'S VISA

Note: The Agreement entered into force, January 1, 1970.

Reference: This Agreement is also published in VIII DFA TS No. 2, p. 218. 

EMBASSY OF ISRAEL

Manila, 10 December 1969

Excellency:

I have the honor to refer to the conversation between the representatives of our two governments concerning the proposal to abolish transit and visitor's visa for the citizens of our two countries, and to confirm the following understandings on the matter:

1. Philippine nationals, holders of passports valid for Israel, shall be exempt from the obligation of obtaining transit visas, or visitors' visas for a stay in Israel not exceeding three months.

2. Israel nationals, holders of passports valid for the Philippines, shall be exempt from the obligation of obtaining transit visas, or visitors' visas for a stay in the Philippines not exceeding fifty-nine (59) days.

3. Nationals of the Philippines and Israel who wish to stay in Israel or the Philippines, respectively, beyond the periods mentioned above shall obtain the necessaiy authorization from the competent authorities of the country concerned. Such authorization shall be granted in accordance with the country's laws and regulations.

4. Subject to the foregoing provisions, persons benefiting under this Agreement shall, while in Israel or the Philippines comply with the laws and regulations applicable to foreigners in respect of entiy and residence, temporary or permanent, and shall not take up any employment, whether paid or unpaid, nor exercise for personal profit any professional or commercial activity.

5. The Governments of the Philippines and Israel reserve the right to refuse admission to persons not possessing a valid passport or lacking adequate means of subsistence or the possibility of acquiring them by legally authorized employment, or designated as undesirable or considered likely to endanger the public peace, public order, public health, or national security.

6. a. The Government of Israel undertakes to readmit to its territory, at any time and without formalities, any of its nationals who have entered the Philippines.

b. The Government of the Philippines undertakes to readmit to its territory, at any time and without formalities, any of its nationals who have entered Israel.

7. The Government of the Philippines and Israel reserve the right temporarily to suspend the application of this Agreement, except Article 6 thereof, for reasons of public order or national security, by giving the other Government immediate notice through diplomatic channels.

8. This Agreement shall come into force on January 1, 1970 for a period of one year. Unless notice of termination is given, through diplomatic channels, thirty days before the expiration of such period, it shall be deemed to be extended indefinitely. Either Party to this Agreement, however, may terminate it after the first year of its operation by giving to the other Party thirty days' advance notice through diplomatic channels, and the Agreement shall terminate on the ninetieth day from the date of such notice.

I have the honor to propose that this Note and Your Excellency's reply concurring therein, shall constitute an Agreement between our two Governments.

Accept, Excellency, the renewed assurance of my highest consideration.

(Sgd.) YAAKOV AVXON
Ambassador

DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

Manila, 10 December 1969

Excellency:

I have the honor to refer to your Note dated 10 December 1969, which contains the following understandings with respect to the proposed reciprocal abolition of transit and visitor's visa for citizens of our two countries.

"1. Philippine nationals, holders of passports valid for Israel, shall be exempt from the obligation of obtaining transit visas or visitors' visas for a stay in Israel not exceeding three months.

"2. Israel nationals, holders of passports valid for the Philippines, shall be exempt from the obligation of obtaining transit visas, or visitors' visas for a stay in the Philippines not exceeding fifty-nine (59) days.

"3. Nationals oi the Philippines and Israel who wish to stay in Israel or the Philippines, respectively, beyond the periods mentioned above shall obtain the necessary authorization from the competent authorities of the country concerned. Such authorization shall be granted in accordance with country's laws and regulations.

"4. Subject to the foregoing provisions, persons benefiting under this Agreement shall, while in Israel or the Philippines comply with the laws and regulations applicable to foreigners in respect of entry and residence, temporary or permanent, and shall not take up any employment, whether paid or unpaid, nor exercise for personal profit any professional or commercial activity.

"5. The Governments of the Philippines and Israel reserve the right to refuse admission to persons not possessing a valid passport or lacking adequate means of subsistence or the possibility of acquiring them by legally authorized employment, or designated as undesirable or considered likely to endanger the public peace, public order, public health, or national security.

"6. a. The Government of Israel undertakes to readmit to its territory, at any time and without formalities, any of its nationals who have entered the Philippines.

b. The Government of the Philippines undertakes to readmit to its territory, at any time and without formalities, any of its nationals who have entered Israel.

"7. The Government of the Philippines and Israel reserve the right temporarily to suspend the application of this Agreement, except Article 6 thereof, for reasons of public order or national security, by giving the other Government immediate notice through diplomatic channels.

"8. This Agreement shall come into force on January 1970 for a period of one year. Unless notice of termination is given, through diplomatic channels, thirty days before the expiration of such period, it shall be deemed to be extended indefinitely. Either Party to this Agreement, however, may terminate it after the first year of its operation by giving to the other Party thirty days' advance notice through diplomatic channels, and the Agreement shall terminate on the ninetieth day from the date of such notice."

I wish to inform Your Excellency that the Philippine Government accepts the above-mentioned understanding, and agrees that your Note and this reply shall constitute an agreement between our two Governments.

Accept, Excellency, the renewed assurances of my highest consideration.

(Sgd.) CARLOS P. ROMULO
Secretary of Foreign Affairs

Source: Supreme Court e-Library