Israel has opened its doors to foreign workers and particularly welcomes Filipinos willing to explore opportunities in one of the most advanced countries in the Middle East.

Israeli Ambassador to the Philippines Rafael Harpaz said at least a thousand jobs in hotels and restaurants await overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).

“We decided to open Israel to a limited number of overseas workers all over the world and we are particularly prioritizing Filipino workers for the opening,” Harpaz told reporters at the sidelines of a business forum in Makati.

Harpaz said the Philippines was the first country Israel signed a five-year agreement with, ostensibly because Filipinos “provide the best service.” The agreement was signed in December last year.

The Philippine Embassy in Tel Aviv said the agreement, signed by Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III and Israeli Tourism Minister Yariv Levin, will allow Filipino workers to work in Israeli hotels.

The hiring will be done via government-to-government where Israel will directly tie-in with the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration “to avoid middle companies and high placement fees.”

“In November, we are going to start the process of having Filipinos work in our tourism industry. And by the end of the year the first 1,000 can go there,” he said.

This development, according to Harpaz, resulted from President Duterte’s visit to Israel last year where he signed an agreement improving the recruitment process of OFWs.

Last year, some 4.2 million tourists flocked to Israel, which has a population of only nine million.

Based on embassy estimates, some 28,000 Filipinos currently work in Israel.