China tells Israel to stop ‘forced establishment’ of West Bank settlements

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi urged Israel to halt its "forced establishment" of West Bank settlements and reverse its actions, according to his office. The "Palestinian question" is the "greatest historical injustice of this century", Wang told Israeli President Isaac Herzog during a face-to-face meeting at a conference in Azerbaijan.

Beijing has consistently backed the Palestinian cause and considers a "two-state solution" as the "correct direction". In 2023, China brokered a deal to restore diplomatic ties between Iran and Saudi Arabia after years of hostility. This year, it joined Pakistan in proposing a ceasefire in the US-Israel war against Iran. China's efforts to address the conflict in Gaza have centered on Palestinian unity.

In 2024, Beijing facilitated a "national reconciliation government" for the occupied West Bank and Gaza, though it was never implemented. Wang now says the "immediate priority" is to open access to Gaza and prevent a "humanitarian catastrophe". China is prepared to collaborate with the international community to facilitate dialogue and seek a political resolution to the conflict.

Israeli President Herzog expressed satisfaction with the meeting, noting it focused on bilateral relations and the Middle East situation, emphasizing Israel's desire for regional peace amid security threats from Iran. However, despite the ceasefire, daily Israeli strikes continue in Gaza, resulting in over 1,400 Palestinian fatalities since October 2025, as per Hamas-run health ministry data, which the UN considers reliable.

The US-brokered ceasefire, initiated after a Hamas-led attack on Israel in October 2023, has not progressed beyond its first phase, with both sides blaming each other for breaches.