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‘Every benefit that an Israeli citizen is getting, the same goes to a foreign national that was hit by a missile or any act of terror,’ says an Israeli diplomat
NEGROS OCCIDENTAL, Philippines – A day after she would have turned 50, Leah Mosquera was remembered not with candles and cake, but with a solemn visit from an Israeli diplomat who came to honor the caregiver killed far from her home, in a war not her own.
Mosquera, a Filipino caregiver from a quiet rice-farming village in Barangay Guinturilan, San Enrique, Negros Occidental was one of those caught in the crossfire of a 12-day war between Israel and Iran.
On June 15, a missile struck her rented apartment in Rehovot, south of Tel Aviv. She fell into a coma and never regained consciousness. On July 13, she died in a hospital, just over two weeks before her 50th birthday on June 29.
The day after she would have marked that milestone, Consul Mote Cohen of the Israeli embassy in Manila made the journey to her family’s home. He arrived bearing not only condolences but a message: that Leah’s life – and her death – mattered to the Israeli government.
“Every benefit that an Israeli citizen is getting, the same goes to a foreign national that was hit by a missile or any act of terror,” Cohen said, without disclosing specific figures.
Mosquera, known to her relatives as “Yumo,” was trapped under rubble when a missile struck her rented apartment. She fell into a coma and died on July 13 in a hospital in Rehovot, nearly a month after the attack.
Her remains arrived from Israel on July 24, accompanied by her younger sister, Mae Joy, who also works there as a caregiver. The Israeli government shouldered her travel expenses.
Cohen’s visit brought comfort to the Mosquera family, who said his presence affirmed that Leah’s 18 years of service in Israel had not been forgotten.
“For us, his presence is a sign of respect for our sister’s contribution to Israeli society,” said Donna Mosquera, Leah’s older sister.
In addition to Israel’s commitment, the provincial government of Negros Occidental turned over P190,000 in financial assistance to the Mosquera family on Wednesday.
Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said a similar amount was earlier provided to the family of Loreta Aclare, another Filipina caregiver from Negros Occidental who was killed in the October 2023 Gaza conflict.
The local government of San Enrique also extended support to the Mosqueras, who are known rice farmers in the community.
During a meeting with Lacson in Bacolod City, Cohen said life in Israel had returned to normal following the 12-day conflict with Iran, and that Filipino workers there were safe.
“Life in Israel is back to normal, and the Filipinos there are as safe as the Israelis,” he said.
Roughly 30,000 Filipinos work in Israel, most of them as caregivers, including more than 200 from Negros Occidental.
Cohen expressed regret over the violence, saying Israel targeted Iranian military assets while Iran aimed at civilian areas. He said 30 people were killed during the conflict, including Mosquera, a Ukrainian, and 28 Israelis. – Rappler.com
