New ChinaMed Report | China in the Shadow of October 7: Israeli Media Coverage of China in 2024
Now available | Our latest report examines Israeli experts' disillusionment with China, and the narratives in Israeli media surrounding Beijing’s diplomatic and economic presence in the region.
The ChinaMed Research Team is happy to announce that our latest report, China in the Shadow of October 7: Israeli Media Coverage of China in 2024, is now available.
In this report, ChinaMed Research Fellows Amanda Chen and Leonardo Bruni examine the prevailing trends in Israeli media coverage of China in 2024, highlighting the deepening disillusionment among Israeli experts. Initially triggered by Beijing’s perceived “pro-Palestinian” stance following the October 7 attack, widespread negative sentiment toward China has intensified throughout the war in Gaza. Notably, Beijing’s rhetorical support for the establishment of a Palestinian state, its efforts to mediate inter-Palestinian reconciliation, its inaction with respect to Houthi attacks, and its ties with Tehran have been framed as fundamentally opposed to Israeli interests.
This sustained negative media portrayal has likely influenced Israeli public opinion, reinforcing the perception of China as a potential threat. Against this backdrop, and amid heightened concerns over national security and international isolation, apprehensions have grown regarding the proliferation of Chinese weaponry in the Middle East, the espionage and security risks of imported Chinese technology, and the possibility of China boycotting Israeli markets.
Although many Israeli experts have pushed back against more alarmist narratives, the overall outlook on China remains negative. Even as Beijing appears to be making some efforts to repair bilateral ties and moderate its rhetoric, Tel Aviv and Israeli experts remain largely reluctant to strengthen relations, viewing China as too closely aligned with adversarial regional actors. With the Middle East facing renewed conflict and Beijing maintaining its alignment with the Palestinian cause, Arab states and Iran, a positive shift in Israeli public opinion and media portrayals of China appears highly unlikely in the near future.
This report was jointly produced by the ChinaMed Project, T.wai - Torino World Affairs Institute and John Cabot University in Rome.
Click here to download the report from the ChinaMed.it website.
While much of this report has already been published in previous editions of the ChinaMed Observer, this full report also includes new sections, particularly on Israeli perceptions of China’s response to Houthi attacks on shipping and the crisis in the Red Sea. We encourage you to download it and have a read!
