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Why Taiwan stands with Israel
Iran’s unprecedented April 13 attack on Israel, which included more than three hundred drones and missiles, saw Israel’s supporters rise up in its defense—both militarily and in the court of public opinion. But six months have taught Israel that sympathy can be fleeting. Global solidarity waned in the aftermath of the October 7 massacre, and it will likely do so again. Jerusalem’s staunchest allies will likely dither once more in their support as domestic pressure mounts to, for example, tie arms sales to a ceasefire and treat Israel as a pariah.
But Israel is not alone. It has found support in unexpected places.
“We condemn the Hamas terrorist attack and stand in solidarity with Israel. Our position hasn’t changed,” Taiwanese Foreign Minister Joseph Wu told me in a March meeting with Israeli academics in Taipei. The visit was supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of China (Taiwan).
Wu, Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen, and the incoming president, Lai Ching-te, were among the first world leaders to condemn the terrorist attack and express their support for Israel. At Wu’s request, Taiwan’s tallest skyscraper, Taipei 101, was lit in the colors of Israel’s flag on October 12, 2023.
After the April 13 attack, Taiwan was quick to condemn Iran. On April 15, Tsai met with a delegation of Knesset members led by Boaz Toporovsky, the head of the Israel-Taiwan interparliamentary friendship group.
During the meeting, Tsai conveyed heartfelt condolences and solidarity to the delegation. “During these horrible times, Israel saw and will always remember Taiwan’s support,” said Toporovsky.
Support from Taipei goes beyond words. Taiwan’s appointee in Tel Aviv and de facto ambassador, Abby Lee, has been busy aiding hostage families, adopting the most affected kibbutzim in southern Israel, and volunteering with farmers.
Taiwan recently pledged more than half a million dollars to Israel for critical initiatives, including medical and communications supplies for local municipalities. This follows earlier aid from Taiwan to an organization helping Israeli soldiers and families immediately after the October 7 attack.
In April, Member of Knesset Efrat Rayten visited northern villages, highlighting the plight of one hundred thousand Israelis still displaced by the war in fear of attack by Iran-backed terrorist groups. Rayten criticized the Netanyahu government’s inaction, lamenting, “It’s disheartening that the only person who joined me was Taiwan’s representative in Israel. She came to help.”
Understanding Taiwan’s alignment with Israel
Why is it that while the world appears to be turning away from Israel, Taiwan’s commitment only deepens?
In many ways, Taiwan sees a reflection of itself in Israel—two vibrant democracies facing threats from hostile neighbors. Both nations wield substantial economic and technological prowess, and both heavily depend on US military exports and diplomacy.
Taipei also sees Israel as a “role model” for what Taiwan should aspire to be, citing its unwavering determination and capabilities to defend itself. Less than a week after October 7, Taiwan’s national defense ministry appointed a task force to glean lessons from the war in Gaza.
China claims the autonomous island as its own and has been aggressively lobbying Taiwan’s remaining allies to cut diplomatic ties with the island. In January, Nauru became the latest country to succumb to Beijing’s unmatched economic incentives, reducing Taiwan’s formal partners to twelve. With its backers dwindling and China flexing its muscles across the Strait, Taiwan seeks to demonstrate that it, too, is not alone.
On a deeper level, Taiwanese leaders seem to view Israel’s war with Hamas and Iran as an extension of a greater struggle between democracy and autocracy. Wu explained in March that Taiwan’s steadfast support extends to all “like-minded partners” who uphold shared principles of freedom, democracy, and the defense of human rights.
https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/new-atlanticist/why-taiwan-stands-with-israel/