China diplomat found dead as Israeli coalition is sworn in

CHINA’S ambassador to Israel was found dead in his home in the suburbs of Tel Aviv yesterday, just hours before Benjamin Netanyahu’s unity government was sworn in, ending Israel’s year and a half of political paralysis.

Police launched an investigation into the death of 57-year-old ambassador Du Wei but initial findings suggested no foul play. According to Israel’s Haaretz newspaper, the ambulance service said the cause of death appeared to be a “cardiac incident”.

Mr Du was appointed envoy in February amid the coronavirus pandemic.

He previously served as China’s envoy to Ukraine. His death came just two days after he condemned comments by the visiting US Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, who denounced Chinese investments in Israel.

Mr Netanyahu reaffirmed his vow to annex West Bank settlements as his emergency coalition with chief rival Benny Gantz was sworn in yesterday, just a week before his corruption trial is due to start.

His plan for annexation of the territories, which is endorsed by President Donald Trump, will lead to a confrontation with Palestinians and many other countries who see it as the end for Palestinian hopes of statehood.

“The time has come to apply Israeli law to them and write another glorious chapter in Zionist history,” Mr Netanyahu said at the swearing-in ceremony.

The agreement allows Mr Netanyahu to present a proposal for annexation as soon as July. Getting it through before US presidential elections in November will be a priority, as the likely Democratic candidate, Joe Biden, opposes the plans.

The EU and UK have indicated they will use diplomatic influence to attempt to stop the proposed annexation because it would ruin any hope of a two-state solution to the Israeli-palestinian conflict.