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In 2024, Israeli media coverage of China remained predominantly negative, continuing the trend established the previous year. Driven initially by Beijing’s perceived “pro-Palestinian” stance following the October 7 attack, disillusionment among Israel’s China experts has only deepened throughout the duration of the war in Gaza. Chinese statements regarding the conflict have led the Israeli press to increasingly depict China as aligned with Iran within an emerging “Axis of Evil.” 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 the possibility of 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.
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This report was jointly produced by the ChinaMed Project and John Cabot University in Rome.
