Amid escalating war between Israel and Hamas terrorist
outfit, a staffer of Israeli embassy in China’s capital Beijing was
hospitalised after an attack, informed the Israel Foreign Ministry.
Fortunately, the diplomat is in stable condition. A
motive for the attack, which did not occur at the embassy, is being probed, said
the ministry.
Israelis and Jews worldwide have been advised to be on
alert on Friday after Hamas called for a “day of rage”.
Reuters reported that the attack did not take place on
the embassy compound, which is just one embassy over from that of United States
and in an area with a number of other embassies and a heavy police presence. An
investigation into the attack is underway, the statement said.
The incident occurred even as China’s Foreign Ministry
said it was extremely worried about a potential escalation of the conflict
between Israel and Palestinian militants.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin made the
remarks at a regular press briefing in response to a question regarding the
United Nations saying Israel informed it that 1.1 million Palestinians in Gaza
should relocate to the enclave’s south.
The news comes after Israel today indicated it was
possibly preparing for an invasion of Gaza.
China has found itself in a tricky situation since the
tension between Israel and Hamas, given that Beijing has historically backed the
Palestinian cause due to its alignment with Maoism as well as liberation
movements between the 1960s and 1970s.
In India, a security alert has been sounded in New
Delhi in view of potential protests in the national capital.
Delhi Police personnel will be present on the streets
with heavy force during Friday prayers. Security has also been stepped up at
Jewish religious establishments and the Israel Embassy.
This comes after many countries, including US, UK,
France and Germany, tightened security around “potential Jewish targets” and “pro-Palestinian
protesters” in view of the escalating violence in Israel.
Following the bloody attack on Israel by Hamas, France
banned all pro-Palestinian demonstrations in the interest of public order on
Thursday. Critics of the ban argue that it infringes on freedom of speech and
assembly.
Agencies
