Pinoys in Israel warned vs. going to crowded sensitive areas until April 30 By GMA Integrated News

The Philippine Embassy in Israel advised Filipinos to avoid or postpone going to crowded and sensitive areas until April 30, 2023 due to security concerns. These areas are as follows: West Bank Jerusalem Temple Mount Damascus Gate Herod's Gate Al Wad Road Musrara Road areas around East Jerusalem areas near the border of Gaza and Lebanon The embassy also said Filipinos must remain careful and observant of their surroundings. It also advised Filipinos not to take photos or videos or go near any incident of violence, and immediately leave any area with tension. "Mag-ingat sa pagsakay sa mga pampublikong sasakyan (Be careful when using public transportation)," the embassy also said in its advisory posted on Facebook on Friday. It also said Filipinos must not approach Israeli security forces deployed in sensitive areas, and must follow guidelines issued by the Israeli security forces and the Home Front Command. For emergencies, Filipinos may contact any of the following, the embassy said: Magen David Adom - 101 Police - 100 Home Front Command - 104 Israel Electric Corporation - 103 Municipality Call Center - 106/107/108 Philippine Embassy emergency hotline: +972-54-466-1188 "Mahalaga sa Embahada ang inyong kaligtasan at kapakanan. Mag-ingat po tayong lahat," it added. (Your safety and well-being are important to the Embassy. Let us all be careful.) Earlier this month, a Palestinian gunman fired shots at an Israeli couple in their car, wounding the man, in West Bank, according to a report on Reuters. Meanwhile, mass protests are being held by Israelis to express opposition after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sacked Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. This was after Gallant urged a halt to a highly contested plan to overhaul the judicial system, Reuters reported. —KG, GMA Integrated News

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