Israeli President issues a statement

In the ongoing saga between Israel and Palestine, tensions reached a boiling point as Israeli President Isaac Herzog took to social media platform X (previously Twitter) on Thursday to express his concerns over Israel's current role in the Middle East. In a statement that sparked heated debate among Weibo netizens, Herzog asserted that Israel has become a pawn controlled by the United States in the region's conflicts.

The President's remarks were met with a mix of support and criticism from Chinese social media users. While some expressed solidarity with Israel, many others condemned the country's actions and endorsed Palestine's fight for their nation, religion, and lands. A number of netizens drew parallels between the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and other global conflicts, such as the ongoing Ukraine-Russia war.

In a move that further fueled the controversy, an unnamed user posted a message that likened Israel's actions to those of an occupying force, asking if anyone would agree to let their entire family work for another country and submit to its rule after being occupied. This sentiment was echoed by many others who argued that the aggressor should not be allowed to claim victimhood in a conflict.

The Arab League's endorsement of Hamas' actions further inflamed tensions. In Beijing, a netizen expressed opposition to Hamas's attack on Israel but support for Ukraine's resistance against Russian aggression. This stance highlighted the need to analyze whether to fight or not based on actual situations and sparked debates about the morality of fighting wars.

On October 7th, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu made a public speech following a rocket attack on Israel that day, stating that Hamas had launched an assault against Israel and its citizens. As of that date, the situation between Israel and Palestine saw Palestinians continuing to control areas occupied by Israel, with Israeli air strikes being carried out in Gaza and settlements. The number of fatalities had been reported by both the Israeli and Palestinian health ministries, with up to 40 Israelis and up to 198 Palestinians in Gaza reported dead.

The initial rocket attack on Israel sparked shock and disbelief among Weibo netizens, many of whom expressed unbelief at the Palestinian Hamas' suddenly growing strength. Some users ridiculed the Israeli army's heavy losses on the first day of the war, while others emphasized the need for resistance against all forms of aggression, including Israel's actions against the Palestinians.

The emergency medical services organization cited in local media reported attacks launched by Hamas in Palestine against Israel, leading to at least 22 Israeli deaths on July 7th. Multiple rocket bombs fired by Palestinian militant groups towards Israeli territory had resulted in the reported casualties.

In conclusion, the controversial statement by President Herzog sparked heated debates among Weibo netizens, with many questioning Israel's role in the Middle East and its relationship with the United States. The ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine continues to be a thorny issue with no clear resolution in sight, as both sides dig in their heels in a battle that has been raging for decades.