Benjamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of Israel, is set to visit China, which is expanding its influence in the Middle East. Analysts interpret this move as an effort to strengthen ties with China after Netanyahu failed to receive an invitation from the White House for six months following his return to power at the end of last year.
According to major foreign media on the 26th (local time), Prime Minister Netanyahu is coordinating his schedule to meet with President Xi Jinping and others in Beijing next month. This will be Netanyahu's first visit to China in six years since 2017.
An Israeli diplomatic source analyzed, "This visit is meant to show that Netanyahu has diplomatic opportunities beyond the United States."
Netanyahu did not receive an invitation from the White House for six months after his return to power in December last year. This is unusual for the leader of Israel, the closest ally of the United States in the Middle East. It appears to stem from U.S. dissatisfaction with Netanyahu's previous attempts to undermine the judiciary.
There is also a strategic intention to build relations with China, which is expanding its influence in the Middle East.
Another diplomatic source stated, "China has recently increased its engagement in the Middle East," adding, "Netanyahu needs to go to China to represent Israel's interests."
In March, China demonstrated its strong diplomatic power in the Middle East by mediating the normalization of relations between Saudi Arabia, the Sunni Islamic powerhouse, and Iran, the Shiite leader. Recently, President Xi invited Mahmoud Abbas, the head of the Palestinian Authority, to Beijing, establishing a strategic partnership and expressing support for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state.
Israeli media predict that Netanyahu will request China's cooperation in normalizing relations with Saudi Arabia during this visit. However, it is reported that the United States will not welcome such moves.
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