The problem of romanticising Israel–Taiwan relations. Issue 3 (4th May 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Schilling, Christopher L.
• Is Part Of: Israel affairs. Volume 24:Issue 3(2018)
• Page Start: 460
• Page End: 466
• Publication Date: 2018-05-04
• Subjects: Israel -- Taiwan -- anti-Semitism -- foreign affairs; Israel -- History -- 1933- -- Periodicals; 956.94054
• DOI: 10.1080/13537121.2018.1454002
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1353-7121

Abstract

Abstract: Israeli academic literature on Taiwan depicts the relations between the two states in the most favourable terms, assuming a mutually beneficial partnership between the Jewish state and the East Asian country, seen as free of any anti-Semitism. The Israeli literature understands Taiwan solely as a small democratic, modern high-tech country surrounded by enemies. This projection of the own country image onto Taiwan leads to a romanticised and false idea of it. In fact, Taiwan is a highly anti-Semitic country with a poor human rights record and fascist tendencies. The Simon Wiesenthal Center is right to say that 'it is obvious that Taiwan has a problem'. So, too, have many Israeli writings on the country which ignore the rather unsettling reality.