In a disconcerting turn of events, an employee of the Israeli embassy in Beijing was attacked on Friday, according to an official statement from Israel’s foreign ministry. The individual is currently hospitalized and in stable condition. The Chinese authorities have yet to release any information regarding the incident, which has raised questions and concerns on an international scale.
The Israeli Ministry of External Affairs was quick to issue a statement, clarifying that the attack did not occur within the embassy compound. The employee was hospitalized where his condition is said to be “stable”, the statement read. The ministry is actively investigating the incident to ascertain the motive behind the attack, although no additional details were provided.
Unconfirmed reports suggest that the attacker may be of Turkish origin, although there is no official clarity on this matter. The speculation has added another layer of complexity to the situation, as it could potentially involve multiple countries in the diplomatic fallout.
According to a report by Mail Online, video footage geolocated by AFP shows that the embassy employee was stabbed on a street in the Chinese capital. The embassy is situated in an area that has a heavy police presence and is adjacent to the United States embassy, among others.
The incident has also garnered international media attention. A Chinese policeman was seen guarding the entrance to the Israeli embassy in Beijing following the attack. The assailant, identified as a foreign national, was later arrested by the authorities, as reported by France 24.
The timing of the attack is particularly noteworthy, as it follows Israel’s criticism of China’s stance on the recent incursion by Hamas into southern Israel. This event has escalated the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian militant group, as highlighted by the Los Angeles Times.
While the Israeli authorities are diligently working to ascertain the reason behind this unprovoked attack, the incident has undoubtedly added another layer of complexity to the already strained relations between Israel and China. The lack of information from the Chinese side further aggravates the situation, leaving many questions unanswered.
Earlier, The Eastern Herald published a report on France’s approach to Hamas sympathizers. The article suggests how France should tackle the situation.
