Rumor – China’s Defense Minister allegedly sent an aggressive message to Netanyahu over ships delivering aid to Gaza.
Analysis
A message with an inflammatory tone allegedly from China’s Defense Minister has been circulating on social media. According to the text, he supposedly sent a message directly to Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel’s Prime Minister, warning that any attempt to block Chinese ships carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza would result in “sleeping in hell.”
The alleged message supposedly came after China announced it would send ships with humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip. The content is framed as a sign that China is ready to confront Israel directly. Read the message circulating online in several languages:
Version 1: URGENT!! Chinese Defense Minister warns Netanyahu: “Anyone who wants to sleep in hell tonight should just try to stop our ships bound to support Gaza.” China announced this afternoon that it will send a ship with humanitarian aid to Gaza.
Version 2: MESSAGE FROM CHINA TO ISRAEL: When will the leaders of great nations, so-called defenders of human rights, act like China, which, through its Defense Minister, sent the following message to Netanyahu and Israeli leaders who are preventing the entry of humanitarian aid (food and water) to Palestinians: “Anyone who wants to sleep in hell tonight just needs to try to stop our ships bound to support Gaza.” China announced it will send ships with humanitarian aid to Gaza and will not accept Israeli military interference.
Fact-check
The phrase, which is obviously shocking, was widely shared by pro-Palestinian pages and profiles. However, there is no reliable source confirming that the Chinese minister made such a statement. The viral message raises three main questions: 1) Who is China’s current Defense Minister? 2) Did China’s Defense Minister say Netanyahu would “sleep in hell” if he blocked ships? 3) Are there similar fake news involving China and the Gaza conflict?
Who is China’s current Defense Minister?
The current Defense Minister of China is Dong Jun, a Navy officer appointed in December 2023. He replaced former minister Li Shangfu, who was removed after a period of disappearance and investigations. Dong Jun has a discreet and institutional profile, focused on military modernization and formal diplomatic relations. There is no record of aggressive or personal statements against foreign leaders, especially in the context of humanitarian aid.
Did China’s Defense Minister say Netanyahu would “sleep in hell” if he blocked ships?
No. The phrase was never said by Dong Jun or any other Chinese authority. The only mention of humanitarian aid from Beijing to Gaza came in generic statements of support for the Palestinian cause, without threats. The information about the message is entirely fabricated and appears only in viral, unsourced posts. The position of Defense Minister in China is largely symbolic in external affairs, reinforcing the implausibility of such a statement.
Are there similar fake news stories involving China and the Gaza conflict?
Yes. Rumors about a supposed Chinese intervention in Gaza challenging Israel frequently circulate. False claims have already been debunked, such as the one stating that Chinese aircraft dropped food over Gaza or that Beijing defied the U.S. and Israel by sending donation planes to the region.
Conclusion
The alleged quote attributed to China’s Defense Minister against Netanyahu is false. Dong Jun is the current minister, and there is no indication he made such a statement. The message is just one more piece of misinformation using China’s image to support political narratives tied to the Israel-Palestine conflict.
Fake news ❌
Ps: This article was suggested by readers of Boatos.org. If you would like to suggest a topic to Boatos.org, contact us via email at [email protected] or WhatsApp (link here: https://wa.me/556192755610)
