President Han: “Hope peace will be in the Middle East soon to further Taiwan-Israel relations.” 

On the morning of April 17, President Daniel K.Y. Han met with a six-member delegation from the Israeli Knesset (parliament). In attendance were also Vice President Dr. Johnny C. Chiang, Taiwan-Israel Congressional Association Chairman Legislator Chung Chia-pin, Legislator Cheng Cheng-chien and Legislator Mai Yu-chen and International Affairs Department Director Kevin C.F. Lin. 

In his remarks, President Han first extended his sincere welcome to the delegation. Bilateral meeting started after the group photo with the attending legislators and delegation members. 

The president stated that it has been 31 years since the mutual establishment of representative office between Taiwan and Israel. Based on the long-term vision, both sides have intensive exchanges in areas such as academia, technology, energy and agriculture. He hoped that with the joint efforts, both sides will deepen and expand bilateral exchanges and cooperation to benefit both sides. 

President Han continued to point out that both Taiwan and Israel are insufficient in natural resources, rely heavily on professional talents, face threats from external adversaries. However, both place great importance on traditional family and education values, and universal values of democracy and rule of law. Therefore, cooperation is especially important.  

Taiwan-Israel Parliamentary Group Chairman Boaz Toporovsky then delivered his remarks by first of all thanking Taiwan for its strong support to Israel. He said that Israel is at war to fight against terrorism. When Israel was attacked by terrorist Hamas in October 2023 and on April 14, 2024 by Iran’s mass air strikes, Taiwan immediately exercised its morality and courage to express concerns and support. The Israeli government and people feel the strong friendship between Taiwan and Israel.  

Chairman Toporovsky went on to say that both Taiwan and Israel are small countries and face difficult situation. Although they are small, they are strong. Both countries are advanced in technology and other fields. In addition, they share same values and beliefs. The common mission for Taiwan and Isarel is to deepen cooperation and exchanges to create a brighter future for next generation. 

As the Chairman of Taiwan-Israel Parliamentary Group, he also thanked the Legislative Yuan and Legislator Chung Chia-pin for establishing Taiwan-Israel Congressional Association. He hoped the two parliamentary groups can strengthen exchanges. He extended a sincere invitation to President Han and Vice President Chiang to find time to lead a delegation to visit Israel. 

In his remarks, Mr. Boaz Bismuth, member of Knesset pointed out that both Taiwan and Israel are democratic partners of shared universal values. He thanked the Taiwan’s government and legislature for their support by issuing a statement right after Israel suffered terrorist attack. The sincere friendship is touching. He expressed his utmost and admiration for the diversified political environment in Taiwan’s legislature as no single political party occupies a majority seats. There are 13 political parties in Knesset. He hoped to further deepen parliamentary exchanges and cordial relations. 

On behalf of the Legislative Yuan, President Han expressed his condolences to those who are affected by the recent attack in Isarel. He hoped that the victims rest in peace, the wounded have speedy recovery, the displaced rerun home soon, and Israel have peace soon again. In addition, President Han stated that if Israel wants to build a synagogue in Taiwan to promote exchanges, the Legislative Yuan is more than willing to provide any necessary assistance.  

In his remarks, Vice President Chiang stated that Taiwan and Israel enjoyed longstanding substantive and close exchanges. Although both face external challenges, as long as two countries strengthen cooperation, more fruits of exchanges will be seen in the fields of trade, economics, education, technology, agriculture and others. Vice President Chiang especially mentioned the bilateral free trade agreements signed between Israel and Republic of Korea, Vietnam and other Southeastern Asian countries. Israel is a member of many important functional international organizations. He hoped Israel will continue to support Taiwan’s international participation to promote development and prosperity by working hand in hand with Taiwan. 

During bilateral meeting, Chairman Chung expressed his condolences to the severe casualties caused by external attack. He mentioned that President Tsai Ing-wen attended the International Holocaust Remembrance Day even held in Taiwan for eight consecutive years. He hoped that military conflicts can be settled peacefully through effective diplomatic channels to enable people to return home and to go back to a normal life. Legislator Cheng Cheng-chien introduced himself as a district legislator from Hsinchu City, Taiwan’s Silicon Valley with cutting-edged technology. He gave a successful example of Taiwan-Israel cooperation, that is Taiwan’s biggest seawater desalination plant is in Yunlin Mailiao Township. He welcomed Israel continue to expand technological exchanges and cooperation in the future. Both sides can enjoy co-prosperity and growth by learning from each other.   

Chairman Toporovsky expressed his condolences and comfort to the causalities and damage caused by the Hualien earthquake on April 3 this year. He recognized the strong resilience, humanitarian spirit and rapid and effective disaster relief. President Han thanked him for this statement and quoted famous words from Israeli literature that the suffering of the Jewish people cannot be described even turning sea water into ink to describe the pain and suffering caused by war to the people of Israel. President Han prayed and hoped that Israel can have peace as soon as possible. 

The meeting lasted 50 minutes and concluded in an amicable atmosphere after exchange of gifts. (E)