China says Wang urged Israel to reverse West Bank settlement moves

Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi urged Israel to stop and reverse what he called the forcible establishment of settlements in the West Bank during talks with Israeli President Isaac Herzog, according to China’s foreign ministry. Both governments confirmed that the two met on 15 October on the sidelines of a summit in Baku, Azerbaijan. [1] [2]

The Chinese account, published the following day, did not identify a particular settlement or decision. It said Wang also advocated a two-state solution and called for access to Gaza to be fully opened. [1]

Herzog’s office said the pair discussed relations between their countries and the situation in the Middle East. It said he raised opportunities for economic, trade and cultural cooperation, as well as what he regarded as strategic threats to Israel, particularly from Iran and its allies. [2]

The Israeli account did not detail any response to Wang’s settlement appeal. Herzog’s office declined to comment when Reuters asked what the two had discussed about the West Bank or Palestinians. Neither government’s public account reports an Israeli undertaking on settlements or a jointly agreed measure. [1] [2] [4]