China’s ties with Israel are tested by Gaza, but not sorely

Despite Beijing styling itself as a supporter of Palestine, China and Israel have built a close economic relationship.

In March 2017, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described his country’s bilateral relationship with a superpower as one of nuptial bliss. At the time, former US President Donald Trump occupied the White House. The United States was months away from formally recognising Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, criticism of illegal settlement building in the West Bank had all but vanished, and Washington was pursuing an aggressive policy against Israel’s archrival Iran. “I believe this is a marriage made in heaven,” Netanyahu was quoted saying at the time.