China-Israel Relations Take Center Stage as PM Netanyahu Receives Invitation
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Visit China Amid US-Israel Strain
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has received an invitation to visit China for the fourth time, signaling a potential strengthening of ties between the two nations. The announcement comes at a time when relations between the United States and Israel are tense, as President Joe Biden did not extend an invitation to Netanyahu following his reelection in November.
In a statement, Netanyahu’s office confirmed the projected visit, stating that it would be his fourth visit to China and that the American administration had been informed about it a month ago. Netanyahu also informed a bipartisan Congressional delegation about the trip, emphasizing that the United States would always be Israel’s most vital and irreplaceable ally.
The strained relations between the US and Israel stem from differing perspectives on key issues. The Biden administration has been advocating for a two-state solution with the Palestinians and has criticized Israeli settlement expansion under Netanyahu’s leadership. Additionally, President Biden has urged Netanyahu to reach a compromise on controversial legal reforms that have been denounced as a threat to democracy.
Netanyahu, aged 73, secured his position as Prime Minister in December through a coalition between his Likud party and extreme-right and ultra-Orthodox Jewish allies, including hardline settlers. Peace negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians have remained stagnant since 2014.
China’s diplomatic involvement in the Middle East has been increasingly notable. The country played a mediation role in facilitating the restoration of bilateral ties between Iran and Saudi Arabia in March. Palestinian leader Mahmud Abbas also recently visited China, and Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang held telephone talks with top Israeli and Palestinian diplomats in April, expressing Beijing’s readiness to assist in peace talks.
Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken recently visited China, during which Chinese leader Xi Jinping noted progress in the strained relationship between the two countries. The evolving dynamics in the Middle East and East Asia are shaping the geopolitical landscape and warrant close attention.
