China urges restraint after Israeli troops kill dozens of Palestinian protesters on Gaza border
Netanyahu lashes out at the Turkish president for accusing Israel of ‘genocide’ while UK calls for an investigation into the violence
China on Tuesday called for restraint, “especially” from Israel, after dozens of Palestinians were killed by Israeli forces during clashes and protests along the Gaza border against the US embassy opening in Jerusalem.
“China is seriously concerned about the large number of casualties caused by the violent conflict in the Gaza border,” foreign ministry spokesman Lu Kang told a regular press briefing.
“We oppose violence against civilians. We call on both sides, especially Israel, to maintain restraint and avoid further tension and escalation of the situation,” Lu said.
The spokesman reiterated Beijing’s support for a two-state solution, with the establishment of a Palestinian state based on 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.
“China has always believed that the final status of Jerusalem should be finally settled through peace talks between Palestine and Israel in accordance with the relevant resolutions of the United Nations,” Lu said.
Palestinians on Tuesday marked the Nakba, or “catastrophe”, commemorating the more than 700,000 Palestinians who fled or were expelled in the 1948 war surrounding Israel’s creation. And by late afternoon, hundreds gathered in the West Bank for more protests along the border.