Khaberni - In a statement that seemed surprising, Taiwan stated on Wednesday that "Palestine is bad for us.".
Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that the country wants to deepen its relations with Israel despite criticisms related to its war in Gaza, noting that Israel "has shown support for Taiwan beyond what other countries in the Middle East have offered."
Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung told reporters: "We will be friendly towards countries that show friendliness towards us."
He pointed out that a declaration signed by 72 members of the Israeli parliament earlier this year to support Taiwan's inclusion in major international organizations "is an example of Israel's support for Taiwan."
Lin considered that "Palestine is very bad for Taiwan because it aligns with the One-China principle that Beijing adopts, which states that there is only one China and that Taiwan is an inseparable part of it."
The minister said during a meeting organized by the Foreign Correspondents' Club in Taiwan: "Human rights and national interests must align."
Taiwan's government was criticized earlier this year for its plans to donate to a medical center in an Israeli settlement in the occupied West Bank, while the International Court of Justice ruled last year that Israel's presence in the occupied Palestinian territories, including the West Bank, is illegal.
When asked whether Taipei had abandoned the donation plan for the West Bank, Lin did not provide a definitive answer, stating only that Taiwan prioritizes humanitarian support in the Gaza war and that Taiwanese diplomats are directed not to interfere in the conflict.
