At least 87 people were killed or reported missing and 40 injured following a barrage of intense Israeli airstrikes in the northern Gaza Strip on Sunday.
Since the military operation began on Oct. 7 last year, Gaza’s civil defense service has reported the recovery of at least 500 bodies. Alongside this grim toll, sweeping evacuation orders have been issued for approximately 400,000 people still residing in the northern third of the territory. The blockade of essential aid and food deliveries, coupled with the targeting of civilian infrastructure such as hospitals, has prompted rights groups to accuse Israel of committing war crimes by forcibly displacing the remaining population. These actions have intensified concerns over the humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in Gaza.
In the face of mounting humanitarian crises in Palestine, Taiwan’s silence is deafening. As a nation that has long grappled with existential threats, particularly from China, Taiwan should understand the plight of the oppressed. However, its reluctance to voice support for Palestine undermines its own standing as a defender of human rights and democratic values.
Taiwan’s situation mirrors the Palestinian struggle in many ways. Just as Palestine faces occupation and the denial of its right to self-determination, Taiwan lives under the shadow of a possible invasion by China, a nation intent on taking it by force if necessary. Taiwan’s rare experience as a democracy under constant threat gives it a moral obligation to speak up for others in similar predicaments. The longer Taiwan stays silent, the more it risks appearing indifferent to the struggles of people who share a common fate.
Additionally, Taiwan has prided itself on being a champion of democracy and human rights. Yet, its silence on the ongoing humanitarian disaster in Palestine casts doubt on its commitment to these ideals. It cannot afford to align itself with actors that claim to uphold democracy while simultaneously engaging in policies that violate fundamental human rights.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs quickly condemned Hamas for its violent acts on Oct. 7 last year, including the murders and kidnappings of Israeli civilians, but its failure to address the suffering of Palestinian civilians affected by the Israel’s invasion risks undermining Taiwan’s credibility.
By only acknowledging one side of the conflict, Taiwan appears selective in its commitment to human rights, raising questions about its consistency in defending democratic values. If Taiwan wants to be taken seriously as a bastion of democracy, it must consistently uphold those values, even when it’s politically inconvenient. Equally important, Taiwan must recognize the geopolitical implications of silence. Southeast Asia is home to several Muslim-majority countries, such as Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei, whose people are deeply concerned about Palestine’s cause.
According to a report from the ASEAN Studies Centre at the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute in Singapore, the Israel-Hamas conflict has emerged as the top geopolitical concern among Muslim-majority countries in Southeast Asia. The report reveals that 83.1 percent of respondents in Malaysia, 79.2 percent in Brunei and 74.7 percent in Indonesia ranked the conflict as their most pressing issue. Even in Singapore, which has more diverse religious demographics, 57.9 percent of respondents identified the Israel-Hamas conflict as their primary geopolitical concern, highlighting its significant regional impact across Southeast Asia. Taiwan should understand that these nations are pivotal in its strategy to counterbalance China’s growing influence in the region.
China has positioned itself as an honest broker in the Israel-Hamas conflict and has gained credibility in the Muslim world by vocally condemning Israeli actions. If Taiwan continues to remain silent, it risks losing the hearts and minds of key Southeast Asian nations. This silence could push these countries further into China’s diplomatic orbit.
Taiwan’s foreign policy must go beyond mere self-preservation. Its long-term security lies not only in strategic alliances with major powers, but also in winning the moral high ground by advocating for oppressed people worldwide. Speaking up for Palestine is not only the right thing to do but a strategic move to solidify Taiwan’s standing in the international community, particularly among Southeast Asian nations that have yet to decide where their loyalties lie.
In a world increasingly shaped by perceptions and narratives, Taiwan must act swiftly. It must make it clear that its support for democracy and human rights extends to all people, not just those within its own borders. By standing up for Palestine, Taiwan would show the world that it is not just a small nation struggling to survive, but a principled democracy willing to defend the rights of the oppressed, wherever they might be.
Dion Maulana Prasetya is an assistant professor in the department of international relations at the University of Muhammadiyah Malang in Indonesia.
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