Israel expressed “deep disappointment” to a Chinese foreign ministry official regarding their response to the recent Hamas attack. The statement was made before an Israeli Embassy employee in Beijing was stabbed, leading the United States to advise its citizens in China to be cautious about their personal security.
Rafi Harpaz, an Israeli foreign ministry official, had a phone call with Zhai Jun, China’s special envoy to the Middle East.
Israel’s foreign ministry expressed their disappointment with China’s response to the recent events in the south, where Hamas committed a terrible massacre against innocent civilians and abducted dozens of them to Gaza. They called for a clear and unequivocal condemnation of Hamas by the Chinese government.
According to Beijing’s foreign ministry, Zhai Jun reiterated China’s concern about the escalating tensions and violence between Palestine and Israel. While expressing sadness over civilian casualties, Zhai did not specifically mention Hamas.
The Chinese regime has refrained from naming Hamas, labeling it as a resistance organization, while the United States and other Western countries consider it a terrorist group.
In their initial statement after the Hamas attack, China’s foreign ministry spokesperson urged all parties to remain calm and exercise restraint.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer criticized China’s response during his visit to Beijing, expressing disappointment and calling for condemnation of the attacks. The Israeli Embassy in Beijing also urged China to show solidarity and support for Israel, expecting stronger condemnation of Hamas.
Later, China updated its response to the Israel–Hamas conflict, expressing sadness over civilian casualties and condemning acts against civilians without mentioning Hamas by name.
When asked for stronger condemnation of Hamas, China’s response emphasized its friendship with both Israel and Palestine. Meanwhile, China’s state media blamed Western countries, led by the United States, for the Israeli-Palestinian conflicts.
A ball of fire erupts from the Jala Tower as it is destroyed in an Israeli airstrike on Hamas targets in Gaza city, which is controlled by the Hamas movement, on May 15, 2021. (Mahmud Hams/AFP via Getty Images)
Palestinians displaced from their homes as a result of Israeli raids in Gaza City, Gaza, on Oct. 13, 2023. (Ahmad Hasaballah/Getty Images)
While some posts condemning Hamas’ attack were censored, critical comments often faced backlash.
On social media platform Weibo, a user questioned the United States’ involvement, accusing Hamas of using civilians as shields. When the Consulate General of Israel in Guangzhou called for the release of children and hostages, pro-Palestine and antisemitic comments dominated the comment section.
An Israeli embassy employee in Beijing was assaulted, causing shock and concern. The victim, a family member of an Israeli diplomat, was in stable condition in the hospital. The U.S. embassy in China offered support to the Israeli embassy and community, advising American citizens to remain vigilant.
A Chinese paramilitary policeman stands guard at the entrance to the Israeli embassy in Beijing on October 13, 2023, after an embassy employee was attacked elsewhere in the city. (Michael Zhang /AFP via Getty Images)
U.S. Ambassador to China Nicholas Burns expressed shock over the incident and offered support to the Israeli embassy. The U.S. embassy in China advised maintaining vigilance, although no specific threats were detected.
Reuters contributed to this report.
Why did the Israeli Embassy in Beijing urge China to show solidarity and support for Israel?
May 15, 2023, in Gaza City. (Photo by MAHMUD HAMS/AFP via Getty Images)
The Chinese government’s response to the recent Hamas attack has generated disappointment and criticism from Israel and the United States. Israel’s foreign ministry expressed its “deep disappointment” to a Chinese foreign ministry official, calling for a clear condemnation of Hamas by the Chinese government.
The recent Hamas attack in the south of Israel resulted in a terrible massacre against innocent civilians and the abduction of dozens of them to Gaza. Israel expects stronger condemnation of Hamas, which it considers a terrorist group. However, the Chinese regime refrained from specifically mentioning Hamas, labeling it as a resistance organization.
China’s foreign ministry spokesperson initially urged all parties to remain calm and exercise restraint in their statement after the Hamas attack. However, this response was criticized by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer during his visit to Beijing. Schumer expressed disappointment and called for condemnation of the attacks. The Israeli Embassy in Beijing also urged China to show solidarity and support for Israel.
China later updated its response to the Israel-Hamas conflict, expressing sadness over civilian casualties and condemning acts against civilians without mentioning Hamas by name. When asked for stronger condemnation of Hamas, China emphasized its friendship with both Israel and Palestine. However, China’s state media blamed Western countries, led by the United States, for the Israeli-Palestinian conflicts.
The Chinese government’s tightly controlled social media platforms flooded with images and videos highlighting Israeli airstrikes on Gaza and the suffering of Palestinian civilians. This portrayal further fueled criticism from Israel and the United States, as it appeared to lack objective and balanced reporting.
The recent stabbing of an Israeli Embassy employee in Beijing has raised concerns about the safety of foreign citizens in China. As a result, the United States has advised its citizens in China to be cautious about their personal security.
This incident highlights the need for diplomatic efforts to address these escalating tensions between Israel and Palestine. It is crucial for all parties to engage in constructive dialogue and seek peaceful resolutions to prevent further violence and loss of innocent lives.
Israel and the United States hope that China will take a more proactive role in promoting peace and condemning terrorist acts perpetrated by Hamas. With its growing influence in the international arena, China has the potential to play a significant role in facilitating dialogue and fostering a peaceful resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
It is essential for all countries to come together and work towards finding a comprehensive and lasting solution that respects the rights and aspirations of both the Israeli and Palestinian people. In this process, clear and unequivocal condemnation of terrorism, including acts perpetrated by Hamas, is crucial to ensuring global peace and security.
This situation also serves as a reminder of the interconnectedness of global security and the importance of international cooperation in addressing complex geopolitical challenges. The Israeli-Palestinian conflict requires a collective effort from all nations to achieve a just and lasting peace.
As the situation continues to evolve, it is imperative for nations to maintain open lines of communication and engage in diplomatic initiatives to de-escalate tensions and promote a peaceful resolution. Only through dialogue, understanding, and mutual respect
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