Israel’s relationship with China plunged into crisis this week after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused Beijing of joining Qatar in orchestrating a global media campaign to delegitimize Israel, allegedly powered by artificial intelligence and massive funding.

Speaking Monday to a delegation of 250 American lawmakers, Netanyahu warned that Israel faces a “new siege” aimed at isolating it diplomatically and economically. “Just as Iran once imposed a siege on us hoping it would wipe us out, which we broke through, today there’s an attempt to impose a new siege on Israel—led by Qatar, and also by countries like China. This is a media siege, funded with enormous money,” he said.

Netanyahu repeated the charge at a government conference in Jerusalem, cautioning that Israel may need to become a “super-Sparta” to withstand growing pressure.

After two days of silence, Beijing delivered a rare, sharply worded response through its embassy in Tel Aviv. “China is shocked by the Israeli leader’s remarks. The claim is baseless, harms China-Israel relations, and we strongly oppose it,” the statement said. It accused Netanyahu of “aiming at the wrong source and taking the wrong prescription,” and called on Israel to end its military campaign in Gaza.

“What Israel needs is not endless bombings, but political wisdom and creative diplomacy,” Beijing said. “Only shared security, not security at others’ expense, can bring lasting peace.”

Behind Netanyahu’s remarks, Israeli officials say, lies growing concern over China’s military cooperation with Iran, including reported deliveries of air defense systems and suspected assistance to Tehran’s ballistic missile program following the June war round. Israel’s ambassador to Washington, Dr. Yechiel Leiter, recently cautioned of “troubling signs” of Chinese support for Iran, warning: “We want good relations with the Chinese people, but we cannot accept Beijing working hand-in-hand with a regime that openly threatens our destruction.”

While Beijing is unlikely to recall its ambassador over the flap, analysts warn it could retaliate subtly, such as restricting Israeli exports under security pretexts.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)