Israel, Philippines Move Toward Deals on Critical Minerals and Cybersecurity Cooperation
Jerusalem, 27 May, 2026 (TPS-IL) -- Manila (PNA) – Israel is eyeing the Philippines as a key partner in the Pax Silica Initiative, particularly through the provision of key mineral resources to complement Israel’s expertise in artificial intelligence (AI), chip design and cybersecurity.
In a Bagong Pilipinas interview over PTV on Wednesday, Israeli Ambassador to the Philippines Dana Kursh said the partnership between Israel and the Philippines can be “tremendous,” noting that the Philippines’ nickel and other critical minerals fill a gap that Israel cannot address on its own.
“You have plenty of nickel and other different important minerals. What Israel has to offer is the tech side. We are advanced when it comes to AI and cybersecurity and other technological solutions,” Kursh said.
To date, Kursh said the two countries are working on a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on critical minerals cooperation following the visit of Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Cristina Roque and Undersecretary Ceferino Rodolfo to Israel early this month.
“I cannot speak into the specifics of the MOU, I can speak just on the fact that it is a partnership when it comes to technological solutions in AI, in cybersecurity and in other avenues as well,” said Kursh.
In addition, Israel is working with the Department of Information and Communications Technology to finalize a separate cybersecurity MOU.
The partnership, she said, is resting on three pillars — leadership, academia and the private sector — all of which are structures both nations already have in place.
“If we will connect both ecosystems we will find innovative solutions when it comes to how do we have a better usage of all that AI can offer us and other innovative ideas,” she said.
Aside from sourcing minerals from the Philippines, she noted that her recent visit to Central Luzon showed that the Luzon Economic Corridor — spanning from Clark, Pampanga through Subic and down to Batangas — showed “significant potential” for a high-tech industry.
She also cited agriculture, water solutions, education, health and cybersecurity as existing areas of successful bilateral cooperation.
In particular, she pointed to an agricultural project in Bacolod involving Israeli company LR Group and local conglomerate of Manny V. Pangilinan, which operates a hydroponic greenhouse farm using AI and water conservation technologies.
Last week, the Philippine joined the Pax Silica Initiative, launched by the United States in December last year, that aims to secure supply chains for semiconductors and AI technology.
The Philippines is set to establish a 4,000-acre industrial hub in the Luzon Economic Corridor that will serve as a staging point for manufacturing for members of the initiative.
