Ambassador Rafael Harpaz started his service in August 2018 as the Israeli Ambassador to the Philippines. His first mission as the official escort of President Rodrigo Duterte during his historic visit to Israel in the same year brought significant developments in the fields of cooperation including economy, agriculture, tourism, among others.

During the farewell meeting on June 16, President Duterte particularly noted Ambassador Harpaz's key role in ensuring humane and orderly treatment of the overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in Israel and the implementation of bilateral agreements on the temporary employment of Filipino home-based caregivers and workers in the hotel sector. The president also lauded the outgoing ambassador's notable accomplishments in the strengthened relations between Israel and the Philippines in the areas of defense, business and innovation, agriculture, and labor migration.