Chinese President Xi Jinping’s efforts to establish a greater role in the Middle East, by hosting Palestinian and Israeli leaders, have been complicated due to the recent Hamas attack on Israel. The resulting conflict jeopardizes the planned trip of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to China. Although China has remained neutral about the war, this stance may estrange Israel but could lead to closer relations with Arab countries.

Key Points: 

1. Xi Jinping had invited both Palestinian and Israeli leaders to Beijing, aiming for a heightened Chinese influence in the Middle East.
2. The recent Hamas attack on Israel has put Netanyahu’s scheduled trip to China in doubt.
3. China’s neutral position on the Israel-Hamas conflict has caused tensions with Israel.
4. Beijing’s neutrality might foster better relationships with Arab nations in the future.
5. Experts believe that the ongoing conflict has temporarily paralyzed China’s Middle East policy.

Source: https://apnews.com/article/china-israel-hamas-mideast-war-arab-countries-33d78c0ad6f7cb116d87417ff81ed727