China, a country that is known for its strict control over the internet and online content, has reportedly removed the name of Israel from its leading online maps run by companies like Alibaba and Baidu. This move has sparked discussions among Chinese netizens and raised questions about China’s stance on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

According to a report by the Wall Street Journal, while Baidu’s Chinese language digital maps have demarcated the internationally recognised border between Israel and Palestine, the former is not clearly identified by its name. The same anomaly was spotted in online maps produced by Alibaba’s Amap. Smaller nations like Luxembourg are clearly marked but Israel has not found a mention.

The report further added that the ‘omissions’ or the ‘anomalies’ are being discussed by Chinese social media users on state-controlled social media sites. Some users speculated that the removal of Israel’s name was a deliberate act of censorship or a political statement by the Chinese government, while others suggested that it was a technical glitch or a mistake.

China has officially recognised Israel since 1949 and established diplomatic relations with it in 1992. However, China has also maintained close ties with the Arab world and supported the Palestinian cause. China’s President Xi Jinping has openly expressed his backing for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital.

The removal of Israel’s name from online maps coincides with an increase in antisemitism on the Chinese internet following the recent war between Israel and Hamas, a militant group that controls the Gaza Strip. The Chinese internet is flooded with conspiracy theories about Jewish influence in global affairs, especially in the US politics and finance. Some influential Chinese nationalist commentators have expressed anti-Israel sentiments on social media platforms like Weibo, drawing parallels between historical events and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

China has also criticised the US for its position on the Gaza conflict, accusing it of being on the “wrong side of history” and blocking a UN Security Council statement calling for an immediate ceasefire. China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi has urged the international community to take action to prevent further escalation of violence and promote peace talks between Israel and Palestine.

China is known to have been meticulous about maps, mostly for its own benefit, but it has also used maps to spread false information and make false claims. Its incorrect depiction of maps has led to diplomatic tussles with neighbours India, Taiwan, Philippines and Japan and several other neighbours. China has also reacted sharply and levied fines over maps published elsewhere online, claiming them to be erroneous if they failed to strictly adhere to Beijing’s territorial claims.

The reason behind China’s removal of Israel’s name from its online maps remains unclear. It could be a deliberate act of censorship, a technical error, or a subtle message to both Israel and Palestine. Whatever the case may be, it reflects China’s ambiguous position on issues affecting West Asia and the Arab world.