Both Russia and China on Diplomatic Offensive To Prevent New War in Middle East

Oct. 16, 2023, (EIRNS)—President Putin was on the phone today with leaders of Egypt, Israel, Iran, Palestine, Syria, and other Arab states to discuss the worsening situation in the region. He expressed concern that this situation could lead to a larger war and said that Russia was ready to work together with constructive partners to quickly bring a stop to hostilities. He also urged measures to prevent a humanitarian catastrophe. Putin also was clear that the present crisis developed because of the stagnation in moving forward on the two-state solution. Before leaving for Beijing, he called Prime Minister Netanyahu to tell him about his conversations with the leaders.

China also has entered the fray with Wang Yi declaring that the Israelis go far beyond measures to defend Israel. The Chinese envoy to the Middle East, Zhai Jun, met with diplomats from the Arab countries and from the League of Arab States in Beijing on October 15 at their request. He also stressed that the crux of the problem lay in the lack of movement on a two-state solution. The Chinese Foreign Ministry announced on October 16 that Zhai Jun would now be traveling to the Middle East for discussion there.