LAST JANUARY marked the 70th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, the largest Nazi concentration camp, which brought with it the closing chapter of the Holocaust. Ending this atrocity not only required years of planning and action, but a concerted international effort. Among the countries that provided aid in ending the atrocity was the Philippines who, under President Manuel Quezon, helped in the Jewish evacuation of Nazi-controlled Europe.

The Philippines, prior to the Japanese occupation, was one of the only safe havens for the Jews. And for many of them, it served as a bastion of hope–that there is escaping from the racial apartheid they were suffering in Europe. The systematic oppression of their race, however, began long before the war. As early as 1933, anti-Semitism had already begun to ravage the continent.

In the beginning

Although there had been anti-Semitic sentiments even before the Nazi party took control of Germany, systematic oppression did not begin until 1933 when Adolf Hitler came to power. In his first year as chancellor, he ordered attacks on Jewish shops and had Jews removed from any post in the media. Supporters of the Nazi party replaced them and anti-Jewish propaganda followed.

The first formal action against the Jews followed two years later, when the Nuremburg Laws were passed in 1935. The laws stipulated that Jews were to be stripped of their German citizenship and banned almost all contact with non-Jews. Over the years, Jews were continually ostracized from German society and removed from more high-paying, prestigious jobs. The removal of jobs was merely the first step, as soon after, racial segregation would intensify.

Hitler’s plan to remove them began when Germany occupied Czechoslovakia and Poland; however, it looked very different from the end of the war. According to Jose Tirol, an assistant professor from the History Department, there were no death camps in the beginning. Initially, Tirol said there was only a plan to drive Jews out of Germany and into “citizen towns,” and “from there, force as many as possible to emigrate,” possibly to Africa.

Many were sent to the ghettos, segregated in areas with very little food or water to do slave work, while others were forced to leave Europe. Those who left had to find new homes elsewhere, as Europe and Africa were no longer safe for them. As such, the Philippines and other distant lands were considered. Fortunately for the Jews, there was a certain group of Filipinos that were interested in lending them a hand.

Social and political environment

The Commonwealth of the Philippines was established in preparation for the country’s eventual independence from the United States (US). According to Tirol, this was supposed to be a time for economic independence and political stability, transition of democracy and the establishment of democratic institutions, among others. However, the country was still realistically dependent on the US for support.

Sharon Delmendo, an expert in Jewish refugees in the Philippines, explains that the Philippines was still legally an American territory at this time. There were many Americans living in the country during that period and, according to Delmendo, “there was racial discrimination against Filipinos in their own land.”

Filipinos resented the “racial condescension” and Delmendo believes that Quezon was willing to help the Jews because he “knew what it was like to be discriminated against on the basis of race.”

Tirol adds that the Philippines has a history of accepting people. Arab, Chinese, Indians, Russians and Vietnamese people have briefly stayed after fighting in wars. “We are very tolerant of other cultures, so taking in the Jews was part of that,” he says.

An open door

The plan to take Jewish refugees in was reportedly concocted by Quezon and his close friends over late nights playing poker and smoking cigars. With the help of his personal connections, Quezon convinced US officials to issue thousands of working visas for the refugees.

Contrary to popular belief, there is no proof that Colonel Dwight Eisenhower was involved in the rescue plans. He was working in the Philippines, in General McArthur’s staff, and was offered a contract to play a major role in the refugee rescue, but turned it down. “This is important to note because it’s a persistent myth,” Delmendo says. However, she is also quick to note that it was only because Eisenhower was keen on preparing the country’s military and “working on refugees was not part of his job.”

Paul McNutt, the high commissioner to the Philippines, risked his political career in persuading the American government, while Quezon donated his lands in Marikina and Mindanao for the refugees’ settlements. On the other hand, the Frieder brothers—Philip, Alex, Morris and Herbert—who were owners of the Philippine-based Helena Cigar and Cigarette Factory, raised funds along with the rest of the Jewish community for the refugees’ accommodation. Eventually, the US government agreed under the condition that the refugees be self-sufficient.

According to Tirol, Quezon had brought the refugees to Mindanao to be agricultural workers so they wouldn’t have to be a burden to the Philippines. Tirol says that Jews with agricultural skill could develop their own farms, and thus become independent in food production, and even employ other workers.

A lasting friendship

Since then, the Philippines and Israel have continued to exchange ideas on how to strengthen relations. Last October, Israeli Ambassador Ephraim Ben Matityahu met with President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III and urged for the implementation of a joint committee for science and technology as proposed by Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario. “With this kind of initiative, we can reach a new chapter in our developing relations… The future is full of opportunities,” del Rosario said during the meeting.

In an interview with ABS-CBN, Embassy of Israel Deputy Chief of Mission Adam Levene shared their contributions to the Philippines in agro-technology through drip irrigation, which allows dry lands to produce multiple yields. “The Philippines has been growing rapidly, and getting bigger and needing more food,” Levene explains. “The agriculture has to change as well in order to adapt to new needs.”

Reaffirming Filipino identity

Delmendo shares that every single “Manilaner”—the term for the Jewish residents in the Philippines—said they experienced “no religious or racial harassment” during their stay in the country and they were free to practice their religion.

She also notes that if Quezon had not undergone obstacles with the US government on the refugee rescue plans, the Philippines would have been the largest haven for Jews in the world. Although these were not realized, Delmendo stresses that the Filipinos had “imbued that quintessentially cultural value [of] ‘utang na loob’ (debt of gratitude) into them and they have passed it on as well.”

Tirol attributes this to the Philippines’ culture of hospitality. “It was part of the tradition of taking in people who need a sanctuary,” he says. “We have that tradition and I guess we’re very proud of it.”

Delmendo stressed that the Philippines was the politically powerless country, but it took a stand and welcome a persecuted and homeless people, extending to them shelter and citizenship. “It should be known around the world because it will change, around the world I hope, how they see the Philippines,” she says.