Netanyahu accused China of running an 'anti-Israel' campaign, Beijing reacted
Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu's accusation of targeting Israel's legitimacy through Qatar and Qatar through a media campaign funded by artificial intelligence, large budgets strained relations between the two countries. Beijing reacted strongly.
Speaking to a delegation of 250 American parliamentarians in Jerusalem on Monday, Netanyahu said, “Iran once hoped that we would perish by applying a siege on us, but we helped that siege. Today, there is a new siege attempt led by Qatar and some countries such as China. This is a media siege funded by big money," he said.
The Prime Minister repeated the same accusations at another conference organized by the Ministry of Finance. He claimed that states such as Qatar and China have made large investments to influence the public opinion with the anti-Israel agenda using bots, artificial intelligence and advertisements with Western media. As an example of this, he showed TikTok to a Chinese company, "You pick up your phone and you are being bombarded, especially on TikTok; much more powerful than traditional media," he said.
Netanyahu said that Israel is drifting into diplomatic and economic isolation, so it should turn into a "super Sparta".
Harsh statement from Beijing
After two days of silence, China's Israeli Embassy issued a rare harsh statement, "China was shocked by the words of the Israeli leader. These allegations are unfounded, they damage China-Israeli relations and we are absolutely against this.
The statement also included the following statements: "Blaming Beijing after criticizing certain social media platforms seems to be a patient who misdiagnosed and applied the wrong treatment."
China also referred to the war in Gaza, calling on Israel to stop its military operations: “What Israel needs is not endless bombings, but political wisdom and creative diplomacy.”
Pointing out the international community's call for a ceasefire, Beijing said, “The goal is to ensure the safe return of Israeli hostages and prevent a greater humanitarian disaster. It can only ensure permanent peace with common security, not to endanger the safety of others," he said.
Anxieties in the background
According to Ynet News, there are concerns behind Netanyahu's statements that Beijing could help rebuild Iran's ballistic missile program. According to the allegations reflected in the press, China provided air defense systems to Tehran.
Israel's US Ambassador Dr. Yechiel Leiter recently said that there are "worrying signs of China's support for Iran". “We want good relations with the Chinese people, but we cannot accept Beijing working hand in hand with a regime that threatens to destroy us,” Leiter said.
The opinions of some Israeli experts were also included in the news. Harel Menashri, who is said to be a cyber security pioneer and a Chinese expert, reminded that China has long taken an anti-Israel stance on international platforms, further toughening its post-October 7 rhetoric.
Menashri said that the statement that Israel "massacred" in Gaza is mentioned in Chinese textbooks, and that Beijing is clearly positioned on the Palestinian line.
He also criticized Netanyahu's "opening up to China" policy in the past, which was blocked by the US.
Chinese expert Yuval Weinrib said Netanyahu's statements could be intended to send a message to Washington: “If this was done to tell the US that we are with you, I can understand the account, but I disagree with the method. However, it is dramatic that a head of government makes such accusations for Beijing. They won't forget it and probably expect an apology.”
Weinrib said that China has been trying to improve relations with Israel recently, that it is unlikely that Beijing will recall its ambassador, but that it could take indirect steps such as limiting Israeli exports, citing security reasons.
The following assessment was given in the news: "The diplomatic crisis points to a new bottom in Israel-China relations. While Beijing positions itself as a defender of the right to Palestine, Israel aligns more tightly with Washington and takes sides against Chinese influence in the region.”