Netanyahu announces China invitation, but says US still Israel's key ally

With China playing an increased role in the regional politics of the Middle East and North Africa, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced that he has been invited to Beijing.

MENA

1 min read

The New Arab Staff & Agencies

London

27 June, 2023

Netanyahu's announcement comes as the US and China agreed to stabilise their perceived tumultuous relationship [Getty]

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he had been invited to China in an announcement on Tuesday but emphasised that the US remained Israel's key ally.

U.S. President Joe Biden's administration was notified of the expected visit a month ago, the statement from Netanyahu's office said. Washington has been scrutinising Israeli commercial ties to its Asian big-power rival.

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China and the US agreed this month to stabilise their intense rivalry so it does not veer into conflict but failed to produce any major breakthrough during a rare visit to Beijing by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas also visited Beijing in June, where Chinese President Xi Jinping told him Beijing was willing to help promote peace talks with Israel. US-brokered negotiations have been frozen since 2014.

(Reuters)