Taiwan’s foreign minister: Closer ties with Israel align with the island’s interests

TAIPEI, Taiwan — Taiwan wants to deepen its ties with Israel despite criticism over the war in Gaza, the island democracy’s foreign minister told reporters on Wednesday, saying that Israel has shown support for Taiwan unmatched by other countries in the Middle East.

Taiwan will be “friendly to countries that are friendly to us,” Foreign Minister Lin Chia-Lung said. He said that a declaration signed earlier this year by 72 members of the Knesset opposing Taiwan’s exclusion from key international organizations is an example of Israel’s support.

“Taiwan is a vibrant democracy that works to advance the values of freedom, equality, human rights, and the rule of law, all in a challenging geopolitical environment,” the document, spearheaded by Yesh Atid MK Boaz Toporovsky, said. It expressed “strenuous opposition” to Taiwan’s continued exclusion from bodies such as the World Health Organization or the International Civil Aviation Organization.

Lin added that “Palestine is very bad to Taiwan” because it aligns with Beijing’s “One-China” principle, which states that there is only one China, and that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China. Taiwan’s official name is the Republic of China.

Lin’s statement is the latest indication of warming ties between Israel and Taiwan, which has long contended with threats from its much larger neighbor. Two weeks ago, Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te told a delegation from the US pro-Israel lobby AIPAC that Israel’s defense policy “provides a valuable model for Taiwan.” He cited the Biblical story of David and Goliath.

Earlier in October, Lai said Taiwan would build a new multi-layered air defense system called “T-Dome” to defend itself against enemy threats, reminiscent of Israel’s Iron Dome missile defense system. In 2021, the country’s Jewish community announced its first community center.

But Israel has also at times followed the lead of other countries that tread lightly in their relations with Taipei, for fear of angering China. In 2022, the Foreign Ministry reportedly instructed diplomats to avoid contact with Taiwanese officials.

Lin, the foreign minister, told journalists during a meeting organized by the Taiwan Foreign Correspondents’ Club that human rights and national interests must be aligned.

Taiwan’s government came under criticism earlier this year for planning a donation to a medical center in the Israeli West Bank settlement of Sha’ar Binyamin. Much of the world considers Israeli settlements to be a violation of international law.

Asked to confirm whether Taipei has abandoned its plan for the West Bank donation, Lin did not give a conclusive answer. Instead, he said Taiwan prioritizes humanitarian support in the Israel-Hamas war, and that Taiwanese diplomats are instructed not to become involved in the conflict.

“In fact, we provide a lot of humanitarian aid to both sides, including the Gaza Strip and Palestine,” Lin said.

He added that other countries can learn from Taiwan about how to deal with China, including on gray-zone tactics, telecommunications and data transfers.

Last week, Lin accompanied Taiwanese Vice President Bi-Khim Hsiao in a rare visit to Brussels, during which Hsiao urged the European Union to boost security and trade ties with the self-governing island.

A massive foreign aid package pushed by then-US President Joe Biden and passed by the US Congress provided billions in assistance to Israel, Taiwan and Ukraine.

Reuters contributed to this report.