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Filipino Philosemitism

Today on Tablet

by
Marc Tracy
March 11, 2011

Mya Guarnieri talks today in Tablet Magazine to Filipinos, both evangelical Christian and Catholic, in both Tel Aviv and the Philippines, who happen to love Israel and Judaism. The Israelophilia of those Filipinos who reside in the Jewish state—they came as migrant workers, and now incorporate Hebrew and even Jewish rituals in their religious services—is especially remarkable given that members of their community have been targeted for deportation.

“We are standing, Lord, in awe of you, in awe of you, in the very heart of the whole world—Israel,” the pastora, says. “In your holy and chosen nation.” I find myself moved by her words, not because they show devotion to my country and my people, but because the pastora and her congregants still have faith in Israel, despite everything it has done to them in the past year.

Marc Tracy is a staff writer at The New Republic, and was previously a staff writer at Tablet. He tweets @marcatracy.