Growing impatient with Biden, Netanyahu eyes visit to China
4 Min Read
The office of Benjamin Netanyahu confirms that he is set to make a visit to Beijing after informing a delegation of US officials of his plans to do so.
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Then-Chinese Vice President Wang Qishan laughs as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu makes a silly face during a tour of the Israeli Innovation Summit in occupied Al-Quds, Palestine, October 24, 2018. (AFP)
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to make an official visit to China in July to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping and other officials, according to the Israeli newspaper The Times of "Israel".
A statement from the Israeli Prime Minister's office revealed that Netanyahu met with a delegation of US Congress members and briefed them on the details of the upcoming trip.
"The upcoming visit will be Prime Minister Netanyahu’s fourth to China. The US administration was updated on it a month ago," the statement added.
According to The Times of "Israel", he also told the delegation that military and intelligence cooperation between "Tel Aviv" and Washington" is at an all-time high and that the US will always remain his government's primary ally.
However, it has also been reported by the Israeli media outlet that Netanyahu's plans to visit Beijing come after the Prime Minister grew impatient with Washington which, up until now, refused to invite him for talks, citing judicial reforms which have spurred controversy and protests within an already divided "Israel".
"Netanyahu is not going to stand and wait for an invitation that is not forthcoming to visit the White House. He is also working in parallel channels," a diplomatic source was quoted as saying by the newspaper.
Beijing has also established itself as a successful mediator of political settlements after it hosted talks between Iran and Saudi Arabia, which culminated in an agreement to re-establish diplomatic ties between the two countries on March 10.
Israeli media also reported that Netanyahu's visit to China would attempt to improve Israeli-Saudi relations which have been severely slowed down after the latter's rapprochement with Iran.
China to play a new role in Palestine
This news also follows a meeting between President Mahmoud Abbas and President Xi in Beijing on June 14, where they agreed to form a strategic cooperation between the two nations.
Xi stated that this alliance will usher in a new era in their relationship, building on their previous successes while opening up new avenues for the future.
He stated that China will work with Palestine to develop their friendship and cooperation in all sectors, emphasizing that the two countries are close friends and partners who trust and support one another.
The Chinese President added that China has always consistently backed the fair cause of restoring the Palestinian people's rightful national rights. "Facing unprecedented changes in the world and the new developments in the Middle East, China stands ready to strengthen coordination and cooperation with Palestine, and work for a comprehensive, just, and durable solution to the Palestinian question at an early date," Xi divulged.
According to Chinese media, Xi also informed Abbas that China is eager to play a good role in assisting the Palestinians in achieving internal reconciliation and resuming discussions with the Israeli authorities.
Media outlets further reported that Xi expressed that the fundamental solution to the question of Palestine is the "establishment of an independent Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem [al-Quds] as its capital."
Furthermore, the Chinese President emphasized that China will continue to fight for the authority to become a full member of the UN and that Beijing will continue to advocate for the Palestinian side in international forums.
