Weibo reactions to the Israel Palestine conflict continue online
The ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine has once again made headlines globally after several recent events. On October 7th, former President Trump criticized President Biden for 'betraying Israel' in his speech at Sidron, Iowa. Around the same time, a disturbing video of a small girl from Palestine surfaced on social media. She had scars on her face and said to the camera, "When I grow up, I will trample you under my feet." This incident stirred strong reactions globally, especially in Chinese Weibo.
9 October 2023
The incident has been reported by multiple sources including Great Wall Media, which states that living in a Palestinian environment surrounded by blockades and constant fear of food and water cut-offs can shape emotions towards Israel. It's not just hatred but also fear, frustration, and desperation. The conflict is deep-rooted with both sides having their fair share of violence and attacks.
However, the news on Weibo seemed to focus more on the Chinese aspect of the story. One netizen, Tmd, expressed disgust at the hot topic, stating that it had nothing to do with China and was just Hamas attacking Israelis. They pointed out that the news mentioned Noa's mother being Chinese and Israeli officials seeking help from local Chinese circles for her safe return. This angered some netizens who felt that Weibo should not share such content as it appeared biased towards Israel.
On the other hand, another netizen shared a heart-wrenching video of Israeli ambassador's half-Chinese son Noa being interviewed by local media. The father was visibly pained as he thought about his daughter who had been kidnapped by terrorists just the day before. This incident resonated with many Weibo users, evoking sympathy for the family and hope for her safe return.
The Israeli Embassy in China urged President Tsai Ing-wen to strongly condemn Hamas' actions, considering China as a friend of Israel. They hoped for her support in this matter. This call was echoed by many netizens, who expressed disbelief that such an act of violence could occur in this day and age.
However, not everyone agreed with the Israeli stance. Some Weibo users shared videos from the past of Israeli forces arresting children with broken arms, raising questions about their actions. A Palestinian Internet user came up with a solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict - peaceful negotiations and cooperation between both sides.
Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken denied any evidence that Iran is behind the recent attack on Israel. Hamas thanked Iran for their financial and military assistance, indicating their support for each other in this conflict. However, not everyone supported Israel's actions. A Ukrainian fan expressed their opposition to Russia's invasion of Ukraine but also voiced their support for Israel's invasion of Palestine.
Lastly, a controversial video surfaced on Weibo showing an Israeli soldier urinating in her trousers, leading to accusations and ridicule from netizens.
In conclusion, the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine continues to generate reactions worldwide, with each side accusing the other of violence and aggression. The Chinese social media platform Weibo is no exception, with its users expressing a variety of emotions and opinions ranging from sympathy to outrage.