Philippine police and immigration authorities raided a Chabad center on the southeastern island of Siargao on Friday night and arrested several Israelis, with the Bureau of Immigration and local police warning that this was only the first wave of an operation targeting foreign nationals staying in the country illegally.
Authorities said the foreign nationals were being held temporarily at the police station pending their transfer to a detention facility in the capital, while the Bureau of Immigration prepared charges against them and continued deportation proceedings.
The Siargao center is one of seven Chabad houses operating across the Philippines.
An Israeli family traveling for an extended period with their children described the frightening moments at the center, where Israelis had gathered for Friday night services and dinner.
According to the family, dozens of armed police officers entered the compound, ordered those present not to move, and searched for travelers who were staying in the country illegally.
“We were in a place where dozens of Israelis had gathered for kiddush and a Shabbat meal,” the mother said. “Just before kiddush, a very large number of police officers and soldiers suddenly entered with their weapons drawn, while we were sitting there with the children. It felt as though they were raiding some kind of terrorist target. They sealed off the entire area, with machine guns and other weapons. They told everyone to sit quietly, not to move and not to speak,” she said.
“A few minutes later, immigration investigators also entered,” she continued. “Only afterward did we understand that they were looking for people whose visas were no longer valid, people who had overstayed in the country. It was a very, very unpleasant incident. They found several such people, and they were taken away.”
The mother said she was alone with her children after her husband was separated from them.
“Fortunately, I understood very quickly what was happening and managed to explain the situation to the children. I hugged them and explained that everything was fine, that we obey the law and had nothing to fear. They did not allow my husband to come to us throughout the entire incident. After about an hour, it was all over, and fortunately, as far as we were concerned, it ended safely.”
Her husband added that he believed attitudes toward Israelis on the island had become more suspicious.
“It is reasonable to assume that if this had not been a place identified with Israelis, it would not have been carried out so aggressively,” he said.
“There is a feeling that Israelis receive special treatment, and not in a good way. It may also be something we have brought upon ourselves, because there are Israelis who do not respect the laws and do not represent the country well.”
The couple used the opportunity to convey a message to Israeli travelers.
“Every country has laws, and the first thing is to respect them. If your visa is about to expire, extend it,” they said.
“We are guests here, not the owners of the place. We must treat local residents and the people hosting us with respect. Even if someone treats you unpleasantly, do not respond in kind. We are ambassadors of the State of Israel wherever we go, and the responsibility for how Israelis are viewed begins with each one of us.”
In a publication issued by the immigration authorities, each detainee was shown holding a sign stating the reason for their detention. The descriptions included “undesirable foreign national,” “overstaying, blacklisted,” and “expired employment visa and work permit.”
Israeli citizens worked without visas, permits
Melody Gonzales, deputy head of the Bureau of Immigration’s intelligence division on the nearby island of Mindanao, reported that the detainees included Israeli citizens Ben Yeshaya Menachem Mendel Rafael and Aharon Eida, both 22, who had allegedly overstayed and were working without the appropriate visas and permits.
According to reports, the two worked at an Israeli restaurant and, according to the authorities, “also operated a Jewish center even though they did not have the required immigration documents. They were also unable to present their passports during the operation.”
Another Israeli citizen, 23-year-old Ababa Twabel, was arrested on suspicion of working without the appropriate documentation. He was also designated an undesirable foreign national following a previous arrest by local authorities.
Itai Harari, 51, was arrested after allegedly working as a DJ without the required work permit.
The detainees also included two Chinese nationals, an Australian hotel employee who is suspected of having remained in the Philippines for nine years, as well as a Lithuanian, a Moroccan and a Nigerian. Some reportedly had criminal records or had been placed on the country’s blacklist of undesirable foreign nationals.
Tourist destination sees tension between locals, Israelis
Siargao, known as the “surfing capital of the Philippines,” has in recent years become a highly popular destination among Israeli travelers, particularly young people after completing military service, backpackers, surfers, digital nomads and travelers spending several months in Asia.
The island is known for its surfing beaches, relaxed atmosphere, parties, cafés and cosmopolitan community. Over the years, a relatively permanent Israeli community has developed on the island. Some Israelis have also opened local businesses, including restaurants, guesthouses, surfing schools and tourism companies, and Hebrew can be heard in many places during the tourist season.
However, over the past year, the island has also made headlines over reports of tension between some local residents and some Israeli visitors, following several publicized incidents involving allegations of inappropriate conduct and confrontations with local businesses.
Philippine authorities stressed that these were isolated incidents, but they led to increased enforcement of immigration laws, as reflected in the current operation.
Residents and local businesses on the island have recently published complaints against “Israeli tourists,” “some of whom are discharged soldiers,” alleging inappropriate behavior, reckless driving and exploitation. One report also described a specific complaint concerning plans to construct a Chabad house.
Some of the online discussion following the raid expressed anti-Israeli and pro-Palestinian sentiment. Official authorities, however, stressed that the operation was solely an enforcement action related to immigration laws, based on intelligence and complaints from residents, and that “it has nothing to do with religion or politics.”
“The Philippines remains a welcoming destination for legitimate tourists, investors and foreign visitors. Our people are known throughout the world for their hospitality,” Immigration Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado said.
“But hospitality must not be mistaken for tolerance toward those who choose to violate our laws. Anyone who abuses the privilege of remaining in our country must face the consequences,” he said.
Viado stressed that “the bureau maintains a strong presence not only in Siargao but also in other major tourist destinations throughout the country, and our intelligence operations will continue. There will be additional enforcement measures against foreign nationals who continue to disregard our immigration laws.”