German and Israeli Representatives in Taiwan: Taiwanese Political Leaders Should Not Carelessly Use Nazi Analogies
During the 2026 International Holocaust Remembrance Day event in Taiwan, German and Israeli representatives jointly emphasized that high-level Taiwanese politicians should not carelessly use analogies to the Holocaust or Nazis. The German Institute Taipei Director stated it was a 'slap in the face' to victims, while the Israeli Representative warned that such casual use harms many Jews and Israelis, underscoring the importance of combating hate speech and prejudice.
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- 📰 Published: April 29, 2026 at 18:52
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Taipei, April 29 (CNA) — The 2026 International Holocaust Remembrance Day event took place, with German and Israeli representatives jointly emphasizing that high-level Taiwanese politicians should not carelessly use analogies to the Holocaust or Nazis. Karsten Tietz directly stated that for victims of Nazi tyranny, it was nothing short of a slap in the face; Maya Yaron called it a warning sign.
The Israel Economic and Cultural Office in Taipei, the German Institute Taipei, and the Taiwan Foundation for Democracy today jointly organized the 2026 International Holocaust Remembrance Day event. Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim, National Security Council Secretary-General Wellington Koo, Legislative Yuan Vice President Johnny Chiang, Israel Representative to Taiwan Maya Yaron, German Institute Taipei Director Karsten Tietz, and Political Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Wu Chih-chung attended.
In his speech, Tietz stated that he was born 25 years after the end of World War II, and despite having no responsibility or guilt for the crimes, he still felt a sense of national shame. In Germany, the financial debts left by World War II have long been paid, but the moral debt can never be repaid.
Tietz emphasized that to commemorate the victims of the Holocaust, analogies to the Holocaust or Nazis should be avoided. One should not call someone a “Nazi” merely because of an intuitive belief that a political opponent has very bad ideas.
Tietz urged Taiwan and all political parties, saying that so far, he has not encountered any Taiwanese politician who must be labeled as such. Such usage is nothing short of a slap in the face for victims of Nazi tyranny.
Tietz cited Russia's invasion of Ukraine as an example, saying he hoped no country would ever again be allowed to change international borders by force, and no nation would ever again be deprived of its right to self-determination merely because a neighboring country is stronger and covets its land. While we are still numerous, let us speak out together. For Israel, for Ukraine, and for Taiwan.
Yaron, in her speech, said that as a third-generation descendant of Holocaust survivors, bearing this living historical memory, she was particularly sensitive to language. When hearing someone in Taiwan carelessly use words like “Nazi” or “dictatorship” as if they were just ordinary analogies, she immediately reacted strongly. When these words are used carelessly, they hurt many Jews and Israelis.
Yaron stated that in recent years, there have been multiple instances of hate speech and hate symbols being used in Taiwanese society, even among high-level leaders, which is a serious warning sign that needs to be addressed. Today's event conveyed a clear and unambiguous message: "We oppose any normalization of language and symbols that carry a history of dehumanization, hatred, and violence."
Yaron emphasized that this message is crucial in all democratic societies. If we truly want history not to repeat itself, then combating hate speech and discrimination is one of the key starting points. (Editor: Lin Hsing-meng) 1150429
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The Israel Economic and Cultural Office in Taipei, the German Institute Taipei, and the Taiwan Foundation for Democracy today jointly organized the 2026 International Holocaust Remembrance Day event. Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim, National Security Council Secretary-General Wellington Koo, Legislative Yuan Vice President Johnny Chiang, Israel Representative to Taiwan Maya Yaron, German Institute Taipei Director Karsten Tietz, and Political Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Wu Chih-chung attended.
In his speech, Tietz stated that he was born 25 years after the end of World War II, and despite having no responsibility or guilt for the crimes, he still felt a sense of national shame. In Germany, the financial debts left by World War II have long been paid, but the moral debt can never be repaid.
Tietz emphasized that to commemorate the victims of the Holocaust, analogies to the Holocaust or Nazis should be avoided. One should not call someone a “Nazi” merely because of an intuitive belief that a political opponent has very bad ideas.
Tietz urged Taiwan and all political parties, saying that so far, he has not encountered any Taiwanese politician who must be labeled as such. Such usage is nothing short of a slap in the face for victims of Nazi tyranny.
Tietz cited Russia's invasion of Ukraine as an example, saying he hoped no country would ever again be allowed to change international borders by force, and no nation would ever again be deprived of its right to self-determination merely because a neighboring country is stronger and covets its land. While we are still numerous, let us speak out together. For Israel, for Ukraine, and for Taiwan.
Yaron, in her speech, said that as a third-generation descendant of Holocaust survivors, bearing this living historical memory, she was particularly sensitive to language. When hearing someone in Taiwan carelessly use words like “Nazi” or “dictatorship” as if they were just ordinary analogies, she immediately reacted strongly. When these words are used carelessly, they hurt many Jews and Israelis.
Yaron stated that in recent years, there have been multiple instances of hate speech and hate symbols being used in Taiwanese society, even among high-level leaders, which is a serious warning sign that needs to be addressed. Today's event conveyed a clear and unambiguous message: "We oppose any normalization of language and symbols that carry a history of dehumanization, hatred, and violence."
Yaron emphasized that this message is crucial in all democratic societies. If we truly want history not to repeat itself, then combating hate speech and discrimination is one of the key starting points. (Editor: Lin Hsing-meng) 1150429
Choose to stand with facts, every sponsorship you make is the power to protect press freedom.
Download CNA's "Firsthand News" APP to get the latest news instantly.
The text, images, and audio/video on this website may not be reproduced, broadcast, transmitted, or utilized without authorization.