Israel-Hamas war upends China’s ambitions in the Middle East but may serve Beijing in the end

News Snapshot:

Open this photo in gallery: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, left, and Chinese President Xi Jinping pose for photographers ahead of their talks at Diaoyutai State Guesthouse on March 21, 2017 in Beijing.Etienne Oliveau/The Associated Press In June, Chinese President Xi Jinping hosted the Palestinian president in Beijing and invited the Israeli prime minister for an official state visit. Benjamin Netanyahu accepted, and China was on track for a bigger role in the region. Then came the Hamas attack against Israel, which has made Netanyahu’s late October trip uncertain and put Beijing’s Middle East approach to the test. China’s stated...