Taiwan’s Deputy Foreign Minister Held Quiet Visit to Israel

Taiwan’s Deputy Foreign Minister Francois Wu made an unpublicized visit to Israel in recent weeks, according to a Reuters report, at a time when Taipei is seeking closer cooperation with the country on defense. Three sources familiar with the trip told Reuters that the visit took place quietly, with two saying it occurred this month.

Senior Taiwanese diplomatic travel to countries that do not recognize Taiwan is rare, which is a key reason the trip remained discreet. Israel officially recognizes Beijing and not Taipei, yet Taiwan has described Israel as an important democratic partner and offered strong support to Israel after the October 7 Hamas attack and the ensuing war in Gaza, leading to an increase in exchanges over the past year.

No details were provided about whom Wu met during his time in Israel or what was discussed. Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry declined to comment on whether the visit took place, while Israel’s Foreign Ministry did not respond to any inquiry. In a statement, Taiwan’s ministry said, “Taiwan and Israel share the values of freedom and democracy and will continue to pragmatically promote mutually beneficial exchanges and cooperation in areas such as trade, technology and culture.”

The trip comes as Taiwan continues developing its new multi-layered air defense system known as T-Dome, which President Lai Ching-te, Taiwan’s recently elected president, unveiled in October.” T-Dome is partly modelled based on Israel’s missile-defense architecture, but the systems differ slightly in structure and integration. Taiwan has said it sees parallels between its security challenges and Israel’s, and Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung noted last month that “of course in terms of technology and defense there is mutual learning and some interactions.”

Taiwan’s engagement with Israel has visibly expanded in recent months. In October, Wu met in Taipei with Yinon Aaroni, Director General of Israel’s Ministry of Welfare and Social Affairs. The month before, President Lai hosted six Israeli lawmakers in his office. Later in October, Lai told an AIPAC dinner in Taiwan that Israel’s determination and capacity to defend its territory offers a “valuable model” for Taiwan, citing the biblical story of David and Goliath.

Taiwan was briefly drawn into Israel’s attack last year on Hezbollah officials in Lebanon after the exploding pagers involved carried the brand name of a Taiwanese company. Both sides downplayed any impact on their joint ties.