Geostrategic Media Political Commentary, Analysis, Security, Defense
As a small island fighting for its own independence against an increasingly aggressive mainland China, one would expect Taiwan to staunchly defend the right to self-determination for all nations. Yet Taiwan’s divergent responses to the Russia-Ukraine and Israel-Palestine conflicts expose a troubling double standard.
On the Russia-Ukraine war, Taiwan has been unequivocal in its condemnation of Russia’s illegal invasion. Taiwanese officials have rightly drawn parallels between Ukraine’s fight for sovereignty and Taiwan’s own precarious position, with the representative to the US declaring “Ukraine’s survival is Taiwan’s survival.” Taiwan has backed up its words with actions, dramatically increasing defense spending and reinstating mandatory military service. This resolute stance is admirable and demonstrates Taiwan’s understanding of the high stakes involved.
However, Taiwan’s approach to the Israel-Palestine conflict is far more callous and self-serving. While Taiwan has begrudgingly offered some humanitarian aid to Palestine through NGOs, it has remained largely silent on Israel’s flagrant violations of international law and Palestinian human rights. This is in stark contrast to Taiwan’s vocal support for Ukraine. The reason is clear – Taiwan sees Israel, another small country fighting for its survival, as a closer ideological and strategic ally than the occupied and subjugated Palestinians.
This selective moralizing is deeply troubling. Taiwan cannot claim to champion the right of nations to self-determination when it fails to apply that principle consistently. A nation that aspires to be a responsible member of the international community cannot pick and choose which conflicts to support based on narrow geopolitical calculations.
Taiwan’s leaders must realize that their credibility on the global stage depends on upholding universal principles of human rights and national sovereignty, not just when it is convenient. If Taiwan wishes to be seen as a beacon of democracy in the face of authoritarianism, it must be willing to condemn all such abuses, regardless of the parties involved.
The lessons Taiwan claims to be learning from the Russia-Ukraine and Israel-Palestine conflicts will ring hollow if they are not accompanied by a principled, consistent foreign policy. Taiwan’s long-term security and prosperity depends on building a reputation as a trustworthy, values-driven actor on the international stage. Selective moralizing undermines that goal and leaves Taiwan vulnerable to the very forces of oppression it claims to oppose.
