Israel is offering to expand cooperation with the Philippines incybersecurity and artificial intelligence, according to Israeli Ambassador to Manila Dana Kursh. Speaking in Angeles City, Kursh said the two countries could work together on next-generation solutions while also exploring agriculture, education and tourism. The technology message comes as the Philippines positions itself for advanced industries under the Pax Silica initiative. Her comments describe a proposed area of cooperation, not a signed cybersecurity contract, government system deployment or confirmed Israeli technology investment in the country.
Kursh said Israel has cutting-edge AI capabilities and that the Philippines brings a young population, talent and a large potential workforce. She also emphasized the need to strengthen cybersecurity as future industries become more connected. For Philippine organizations, the statement points to possible knowledge-sharing, training and technology partnerships. It does not identify specific vendors, project budgets, implementation dates or agencies that would lead the work, so the practical scope of any cooperation remains to be negotiated.
The ambassador linked the discussion to the Philippines’ critical-minerals supply and potential semiconductor manufacturing. The Manila Times reported that the Bases Conversion and Development Authority is pursuing a multibillion-dollar, 1,620-hectare Pax Silica microprocessor facility in Capas, Tarlac. BCDA has clarified that the project is not a data center and that locating manufacturers would involve their own power generation, while water-retention areas would be developed within the facility. These are project descriptions and plans, not proof of completed construction.
BCDA projections cited by the report estimate that the manufacturing industries could create 190,000 direct jobs, 500,000 to 800,000 indirect jobs, P60 billion in lease income over 25 years and $200 billion in exports at full build-out. Those figures are forward-looking estimates tied to the proposed facility. Israel’s stated interest in cooperation should therefore be read as diplomatic and exploratory while the Philippines continues to address infrastructure, energy, water and community concerns around the Pax Silica development.
