China to Israel: Stop West Bank Settlements, Reopen Gaza Now
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi tells Israeli President Isaac Herzog to halt West Bank settlements and reopen Gaza to stop a humanitarian catastrophe.
In a high-stakes diplomatic encounter, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has called upon Israel to immediately halt and reverse the forceful establishment of settlements in the West Bank. During a meeting with Israeli President Isaac Herzog, Wang Yi stressed the critical urgency of fully reopening access to the Gaza Strip to avert a total humanitarian collapse.
The discussions took place on Thursday in Baku, Azerbaijan, on the sidelines of the 7th Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA) summit. The meeting served as a platform for Beijing to reiterate its stance on one of the most volatile conflicts in the world.
A Call to Avert Humanitarian Catastrophe
Foreign Minister Wang Yi highlighted the dire conditions facing millions in the Gaza Strip, framing the restoration of access as the immediate global priority. According to a statement from the Chinese side, Wang warned that without swift action, two million civilians would continue to struggle on the brink of survival.
"The urgent task is to fully reopen access to the Gaza Strip, to prevent two million civilians from continuing to struggle on the brink of survival, and to prevent the continued spread of a humanitarian catastrophe," the statement read.
Addressing the 'Greatest Historical Injustice'
Beyond the immediate crisis in Gaza, Wang Yi took a firm stance on the West Bank, urging Israel to cease and withdraw from actions aimed at establishing settlements. He described the Palestinian question as the "greatest historical injustice of this century," asserting that the root of Middle East instability lies in this unresolved issue.
China continues to advocate for the two-state solution as the only viable path toward a lasting peace. Wang emphasized that both the Jewish and Palestinian people possess the fundamental right to peaceful survival and the establishment of independent states.
China's Vision for Regional Stability
The Foreign Minister noted that the regional atmosphere remains tense and that peace cannot be forged without dialogue, consultation, and a genuine effort toward reconciliation. He mentioned that President Xi Jinping has proposed several initiatives since the start of the year to foster security in the region.
Wang stated that Beijing is ready to collaborate with the international community to build a comprehensive, cooperative, and sustainable security framework, emphasizing that reconciliation is the cornerstone of China's Middle East policy.
Bilateral Ties and Israeli Response
While the focus remained heavily on the conflict, the two leaders also discussed the relationship between China and Israel. President Isaac Herzog pointed to the deep historical ties between the Chinese and Jewish peoples, specifically recalling their mutual support during the anti-fascist war.
Herzog expressed Israel's desire to expand cooperation in several key sectors, including:
- Science and technology
- Investment
- People-to-people exchanges
President Herzog further reaffirmed Israel's commitment to the one-China policy and its desire to maintain friendly relations with Beijing. Regarding the regional conflict, Herzog stated that while Israel desires peace, it continues to face significant national security threats.