Opinion: Is China's 'neutrality' in war helpful or harmful?

In her latest column for Middle East Eye, Palestinian researcher Razan Shawamreh argues that China's "neutrality" on the conflict is undermining the Palestinian position. 

She writes: "This 'neutrality' in condemnation has serious consequences for Palestinians. Instead of offering support, it effectively undermines their position by suggesting an equivalence between the aggressive actions by Palestinian fighters and the disproportionate response by the Israeli army. 

"In this context, China must remember Dante's eloquent warning that 'the darkest places of hell are reserved for those who maintain their neutrality in times of moral crisis'. 

"China has consistently deviated from international norms on the conflict's pivotal issues, including through its support of the "Jewishness" of the state of Israel; its investments in Israeli settlements and reinforcement of economic security for settlers in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem; and its promotion of Arab normalisation with Israel, despite the adverse impacts on the Palestinian population."

You can read the full column below. 

Opinion: Is China's 'neutrality' helpful or harmful?