Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) told Chinese Communist Party (CCP) leader Xi Jinping on Monday that he was disappointed by China’s statement that failed to condemn Hamas’ deadly attack in Israel.
Mr. Schumer, who is leading a bipartisan congressional delegation to China this week, said after a meeting with Mr. Xi that he was disappointed by the CCP’s remarks that showed “no sympathy” for the Israeli people.
“The ongoing events in Israel over the last few days are nothing short of horrific. I urge you and the Chinese people to stand with the Israeli people and condemn the cowardly and vicious attacks,” he remarked.
Mr. Schumer was referring to the Chinese Foreign Ministry’s statement on Oct. 8, which expressed “deep concern” over the escalating tensions and violence but stopped short of condemning Hamas’ terror attack in Israel.
The CCP urged all parties to cease fire and suggested establishing a “two-state solution”—the notion of having two separate independent states—and “an independent Palestinian state” to quell the conflict.
Mr. Waks emphasized that the CCP’s calls for a two-state solution were inappropriate, given the scale of attack by Hamas—the terrorist group that controls the Gaza Strip—and the significant casualties it had caused.
“When people are being murdered, slaughtered in the streets, this is not the time to call for a two-state solution,” he told reporters.
Israel declared a state of war after Hamas launched a wave of attacks against its civilians and properties, prompting Israeli forces to launch retaliatory strikes on Gaza, the stronghold of Hamas. The death toll on both sides has passed 1,100.
Countries all around the world—such as the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, and India—have expressed their solidarity with Israel and strongly condemned Hamas’s assaults as terrorist attacks.
China’s Push for ‘Two-State Solution’
Following Mr. Schumer’s remarks, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning told reporters that China was “deeply saddened by the civilian casualties” and condemned “acts that harm civilians.”She said Beijing opposes “moves that escalate the conflict and destabilize the region.” However, her statement did not explicitly condemn either party involved in the conflict, nor did it express support for Israel.
Ms. Mao reiterated the need to implement a two-state solution and “settle the Palestine question fully and properly through political means at an early date so as to take care of each party’s legitimate concerns.”
China has traditionally backed the Palestinian cause but has also boosted ties with Israel as it seeks a larger role in trade, technology, and diplomacy.
In recent years, the CCP regime has stepped up its involvement in the Middle East, assisting in the restoration of ties between Saudi Arabia and Iran.
He said the CCP supports the cause of the Palestinian people to restore their national rights, and laid out a general three-point proposal to resolve the conflict with Israel, in which China hopes to play the role of a mediator.
