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)