China extends invitation to Israeli PM Netanyahu amid Israel-US tensions

Beijing: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has received an invitation to visit China, as tensions between Israel and the United States continue to strain.

The announcement of the projected visit comes after President Joe Biden did not extend an invitation to Netanyahu following his reelection in November.

Netanyahu's office confirmed the upcoming visit, stating that the American administration had been informed about it a month ago.

The strained relations between Israel and the US have been attributed to the Biden administration's push for a two-state solution with the Palestinians and its criticism of Israeli settlement expansion under Netanyahu's leadership.

Additionally, President Biden has urged Netanyahu to reach a compromise on controversial legal reforms that have been denounced as a threat to democracy.

Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang has expressed China's readiness to facilitate peace talks between Israel and Palestine, and Palestinian leader Mahmud Abbas also visited China earlier this month.