China accuses US of being ‘indifferent to the suffering’ of Palestinians

Beijing again hits out at Washington for blocking a UN Security Council statement on the conflict between Israelis and Palestinians

Foreign ministry spokeswoman says the US ‘continues to stand on the opposite side of the international community’

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A Palestinian boy walks past the remains of a tower building in Gaza City that was destroyed by Israeli air strikes. Photo: Reuters

Published: 9:30pm, 14 May 2021Updated: 9:30pm, 14 May 2021

China has accused the United States of being “indifferent” to the plight of Palestinians as the conflict between Israelis and Palestinians continues to escalate.

The surge of violence and aerial attacks that started a month ago threatens to intensify and has presented a test for powers like China and the United States looking for ways to broker peace.

Beijing – which holds the rotating presidency of the UN Security Council this month – on Friday criticised Washington for a second time this week for blocking a joint statement on the situation.

“The United States continues to be the sole party that prevents the Security Council from speaking out and continues to stand on the opposite side of the international community,” foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said.

Foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying suggested the US was being hypocritical. Photo: AP

The Security Council will hold a virtual meeting on Sunday on the conflict after the United States, a key ally of Israel, objected to a session that was originally planned for Friday.

Washington also refused to back a statement – calling for all parties to refrain from provocation – proposed by China, Tunisia and Norway during an emergency meeting of the Security Council on Monday.