Taiwan's foreign minister says closer ties with Israel align with the island's interests

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

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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 Israeli parliament in support of Taiwan's inclusion in key international organizations is an example of Israel's support.

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.