TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – Taiwan’s government should cease economic cooperation with Israel amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza, the head of the Taiwan Obasang Political Equality Party said.
Party Secretary-General Ho Yu-jung (何語蓉) acknowledged that in the face of China’s efforts to restrict its international space, Taiwan needs to find international partners and support. However, speaking to Taiwan News on May 3, she said the government should not ignore human rights when conducting international relations.
“As a party with a membership of more than 90% women, the Obasang Alliance is outraged and saddened to see so many women and children killed and injured in the Israel-Palestine war, and we fully support an immediate ceasefire,” Ho said.
In late April Taiwan’s foreign ministry said it “hopes all parties continue mediation and communication to bring opportunities for peace.” However, Ho said the Obasang Party believes the government could do more to oppose the war.
She said calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, reminding Israel of its humanitarian obligations, and postponing cooperation or exchanges are practical measures the Taiwan government could take to encourage the end to the conflict. Ho said doing so would be in line with the obligation to preserve world peace outlined in Taiwan’s constitution.
Ho highlighted the Taiwan government’s record of opposing human rights abuses in Xinjiang, the war in Ukraine, ethnic conflicts in Myanmar, and Beijing’s increasing influence in Hong Kong. She said the Obasang Party is calling on the government to take action to encourage an end to the war in Gaza.
“We cannot turn a blind eye when friendly countries do things that are detrimental to the basic values of human rights,” Ho said. She said this applies to instances of war, and the killing of women, children, civilians, or journalists.
According to the AFP, Palestinian authorities said on Tuesday that at least 34,789 Palestinians have died in Gaza since Hamas fighters killed over 1,100 people in the Oct. 7 attack on Israel. The Palestinian death toll includes combatants and civilians.
On Monday, United Nations experts said that 14,500 children and 9,500 women have been killed over the past seven months and estimated that 63 women, including 37 mothers, are being killed daily. Meanwhile, on Saturday (May 4), parts of Gaza were described as being “on the brink of famine” as UN agencies reported Israeli settlers attacking aid convoys bound for Gaza.
Ho said the party also called on the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) to make public records relating to the trade of military-related goods with Israel. The party encouraged Taiwanese businesses to cease cooperation with Israeli arms dealers if they were doing so, and for the MOEA to restrict the export of military-related goods to Israel.
The Obasang Party was formed in 2019 with a focus on children and families, as well as labor and environmental causes. Though far from the 5% threshold needed to enter the legislature, 0.93% of voters (over 128,000 people) supported Obasang in Taiwan’s 2024 general election, a result higher than some more established minor parties.
Tags: Obasang Party Taiwan cease economic cooperation Israel Gaza war Taiwan News
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