China cites Saudi-Iran reconciliation to impress Israel to resume talks with Palestine

By Riyaz ul Khaliq

ISTANBUL (AA) – Citing reconciliation between Saudi Arabia and Iran, China has urged Israel to resume peace talks and take steps towards a "two-state solution" to end the conflict with Palestine.

Qin Gang, China's top diplomat, told his Israeli counterpart Eli Cohen that Beijing is "worried about the current tension between Israel and Palestine."

The top priority at the moment, Qin told Cohen, "is to control the situation and prevent the conflict from intensifying or even getting out of control," a statement by China's Foreign Ministry read.

The phone call between the top diplomats on Monday night came after the recent Israeli attacks on Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem.

Many worshippers were injured and arrested by the Israeli police during and after the raids that happened during the ongoing Ramadan, the holy month of fasting for Muslims across the globe.

"All parties should remain calm and exercise restraint and refrain from radical and provocative words and deeds," Qin told Cohen. "The fundamental way out is to resume peace talks and implement the 'two-state solution'."

Urging Tel Aviv to "show political courage and take steps to resume peace talks," Qin said: "China is willing to provide convenience for this… We believe that the key to resolving the Israeli-Palestinian issue lies in upholding the concept of common security."

Referring to the thaw in bilateral relations between Riyadh and Tehran, Qin said the two erstwhile rivals "resumed diplomatic relations through dialogue… setting an example of resolving differences through dialogue."

"China has no self-interest in this issue and only hopes that Israel and Palestine can coexist peacefully and maintain regional peace and stability," the top Chinese diplomat said.

In a major headway towards normalizing ties after years of tensions, Riyadh and Tehran announced resuming full diplomatic relations last month after days of diplomatic conversations in the Chinese capital, Beijing.

Political commentators called it "a diplomatic coup" by China. Later, top Saudi and Iranian diplomats met in Beijing and the two Muslim-majority nations are set to open embassies by May 9.

"It is hoped that all parties will seize the favorable opportunity to promote dialogue and reconciliation, implement the comprehensive agreement on the Iranian nuclear issue, and maintain peace and tranquility in the Middle East," Qin said.

The Chinese foreign ministry said Cohen thanked China for its willingness to provide support for resolving the conflict between Israel and Palestine but added: "It seems difficult to resolve this issue in the short term."

"The Israeli side is committed to cooling down the situation," Cohen said.

"Israel attaches great importance to China's influence, pays close attention to the Iranian nuclear issue, and expects China to play a positive role," he told Qin.