In a bold and controversial diplomatic stance, the government of the People’s Republic of China has called on the United Nations to revoke Israel’s membership over what it describes as ongoing inhumane actions and grave violations of international law in the Gaza Strip. The statement, which has drawn strong reactions from global observers, comes amid the escalating humanitarian crisis in the Palestinian enclave, where civilian casualties and infrastructure destruction continue to mount.
Chinese officials, speaking through state-backed media and at multilateral forums, have condemned what they term the disproportionate use of force by Israeli forces in Gaza, accusing Tel Aviv of committing acts that contravene the fundamental principles of the UN Charter and international humanitarian law. Beijing insists that such conduct should not be tolerated within the global body, especially from a member state.
According to the Chinese government, continued UN recognition of Israel despite what it characterises as repeated violations of human rights and disregard for ceasefire calls undermines the legitimacy of the United Nations and its ability to enforce accountability among its members. Chinese diplomats have pointed to the suffering of Palestinian civilians, including women and children, as well as the destruction of hospitals, schools, and basic infrastructure, as clear evidence that Israel’s actions go beyond the scope of self-defense.
While Beijing has historically maintained support for a two-state solution and a peaceful resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, its recent pronouncements mark a significant escalation in its diplomatic language. Analysts say the move also reflects China’s broader strategy of positioning itself as a champion of the Global South and a counterbalance to what it perceives as Western double standards in international diplomacy.
The call for Israel’s removal from the UN has not gone unchallenged. Several Western countries, including the United States and members of the European Union, have pushed back strongly against Beijing’s proposal, maintaining that Israel has a right to defend itself and that expulsion from the United Nations is an extreme and unlikely course of action.
Nonetheless, China’s position has received support from some member states within the Non-Aligned Movement and Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, many of whom have also voiced frustration over the lack of decisive UN action to halt the crisis in Gaza.
As the humanitarian toll continues to rise and diplomatic tensions escalate, this latest development adds further strain to the already polarised global discourse on the Middle East conflict, potentially setting the stage for deeper geopolitical divisions within the United Nations.
