The term Ger has been changed significantly in modern times. Today it refers to Gentiles that converted into Judaism. However, Elohim references to the term Ger in relations to Israel (it could refer to any stranger living in any country but this discussion is specific in relations to Israel) is to a gentile that lives amongst the Israelites under certain terms.
Many of the Filipino workers in Israel are the perfect people to fit those terms because they believe in the Torah and its values (they are not required to observe it all) and they believe in the promises of Elohim to Israel.
The idea that true Gers are threatening the faith of Israel is a complete nonsense and does not fit in any form to the spirit of the Torah. The Torah does not even put maximum number of Gers allowed to live amongst Israel. Therefore, the claim that there are too many Filipino workers in Israel is not even relevant.
It is a mistake to think that the Filipino workers need to convert into Judaism in order to become Gers and receive status. They (those who accept the truth of the Torah) are Gers as it is.
There is another crucial issue: the Philippines government gave 10,000 visas to German Jews in order to save them and was already talking on increasing the number to 50,000. Unfortunately, Japan stopped the Jewish immigration when they conquered the Philippines and therefore "only" 1300 Jews were saved. Yet, the credit must be given to the Philippines for at least the 10,000 if not even more. The Philippines also voted in favor of the state of Israel in November 1947.
The Torah does not talk about those specific events. However, it is full with descriptions of how Elohim refers to nations that bless Israel and how he treats nations that hurt Israel. Therefore, with that spirit the Filipino workers in Israel are not only Gers but ones that Elohim would have given them even favorite status.
The status of the Filipino workers turned into a political issue in which the left traditionally support them while the right (and especially the religious Jews) are against allowing them to stay in Israel. However, in reality it is the religious right who should be the first to protect the Filipino workers rights as Gers and allow them (under certain terms) to live in Israel with full Gers rights (similar to the American Green card) without citizenship.
The Filipino community shot themselves in the feet by associating so closely with the Israeli political left, which has been the losing side in recent elections. This is so ironic because many Filipino believe in the truth of the Torah and in its values and praise the promises that Elohim gave Israel.
Most letters in favor of the Filipino workers are signed by known liberal public figures. That actually turns out against the Filipino workers because it is in Minister Arie Drei, Naftali Bennett, Ayelet Shaked, Betzalel Smotrich and basically everyone else from the right wing (religious and secular) to brag to their voters that they are standing firm against the requests of the liberals.
I am not turning you against the liberals. You should be thankful for their efforts to help you. However, in order to truly cause drastic changes than you need to cause change of hearts amongst the Israeli religious and secular right wing public.
It is time that the religious right will stand up in favor of the Filipino workers to get full Ger's rights. The idea that those few thousands are a threat to the Israel identity and faith is against the spirit of the Torah.
I invite all Filipino workers in Israel to share this letter amongst you and then only after the Shabat to share it with your Israeli friends including those that are part of the right wing and ask them to share it with their friends. In addition, seek right wing public figures to represent those arguments within their public and leaders. They and the rabbis should realize that the Filipino deportations of the past few weeks are a shame that is against the spirit of the Torah.
Written by Leon Ben Gideon
