Taiwan strengthens support for Israel with new scholarships for students affected by war

Taiwan’s Ambassador Ya-Ping Abby Lee revealed on Monday that the country is launching, in cooperation with the Peres Academic Center, scholarships to Israeli students impacted by war since the Hamas Oct. 7 attack in 2023. Taiwan has been one of Israel's strongest supporters in the international arena.

“Since the tragedy of October 7, Taiwan has not only expressed deep diplomatic solidarity with Israel but has taken decisive action to help Israelis impacted by the war,” Lee said at the Peres Academic Center in Rehovot, a city close to Tel Aviv.

“We work with organizations such as IsraAID and Pitchon Lev, as well as with local governments and kibbutzim, to support families hurt by terror, struggling communities and young people in need of emotional and social assistance. Taiwan and Israel may be geographically distant, but we share values. We are partners with Israel, always, in challenging days and in better days,” she continued.

Lee argued that Taiwan views the scholarship program as an investment in the future for both countries.

“I hope the program helps students build a promising future and continue their higher education. These scholarships bring the Taiwanese and Israeli peoples closer together and strengthen the human capital that moves both countries forward,” the Taiwanese ambassador said.

A growing number of countries worldwide turned against Israel since the Oct. 7 attack. However, Lee emphasized that “no nation is too small to stand on the right side of history.”

Merely weeks after the Hamas Oct. 7 massacre, Taiwan donated $70,000 to the IDF and Israeli families in need through the non-profit organization, Pitchon-Lev. It has also made donations to Israel’s ZAKA Search and Rescue service, which has played an instrumental role in providing humanitarian aid both before and after the Oct. 7 atrocities.

Scholarship recipients shared their personal stories during the event with the Taiwanese ambassador. One student who broke down in tears, recalled the trauma she experienced when an Iranian missile destroyed her home.

“The missile destroyed my home, and the only light since then was the phone call from the college telling me I would receive aid from Taiwan,” she said. “At a time when the state has turned its back on us, and when bureaucracy has delayed the start of repairs, it is the Taiwanese Embassy and the Peres Academic Center that have seen us and supported us. We are deeply grateful to the ambassador; it is far from obvious,” the student added.

Ofra Elul, CEO of the Peres Academic Center praised the Taiwanese ambassador.

“Abby Lee is a rare example of leadership that comes from the heart. Beyond the financial aid, her greatest contribution is the emotional and therapeutic support she enables for those affected by the war,” Elul assessed.

While located at the opposite ends of Asia, Israel and Taiwan are both successful Western-oriented democracies that face existential threats from hostile and larger totalitarian neighbors.

In October, Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te praised Israel as a source of inspiration for Taiwan’s defense against Chinese aggression.

“The Taiwanese people often look to the example of the Jewish people when facing challenges to our international standing and threats to our sovereignty from China. The people of Taiwan have never become discouraged,” Ching-te stated.

“Israel's determination and capacity to defend its territory provides a valuable model for Taiwan,” he continued. “I have always believed that Taiwan needs to channel the spirit of David against Goliath in standing up to authoritarian coercion."