Netanyahu Blasts Beijing As China Warns Israel on Taiwan

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Since the October 7 attacks, Beijing has sought to position itself as a Middle East mediator, pressing for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and championing a two-state solution. But in recent weeks, tensions with Israel have flared. Prime Minister Netanyahu accused China of orchestrating an AI-driven information blockade against Israel online. And just days later, an Israeli lawmaker travelled to Taiwan, a move Beijing condemned as a direct violation of its One China policy. In response, China’s embassy in Tel Aviv issued a blistering statement, warning Knesset member Boaz Toporovsky that his repeated visits to the self-governing island of Taiwan, which Beijing claims as its own, had pushed ties to the edge of collapse. On Netanyahu’s accusations, Beijing flatly rejected the charge, calling it baseless, and insisted global criticism of Israel’s Gaza offensive cannot be blamed on China. Behind the rhetoric, Tel Aviv is increasingly uneasy with Beijing’s growing partnership with Iran, and the prospect of deeper military cooperation between the two. Earlier this year, Israel launched days of air strikes against Iran, attacks which China condemned. Guests: Einar Tangen Senior Fellow at The Centre for International Governance Innovation Ross Feingold Political Risk Analyst