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Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and his entourage touched down in Beijing on Sunday afternoon Israel time for the start of an official state visit. The visit will mark 25 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the countries.

The trip comes as Mr. Netanyahu is under police investigation and there is an undercurrent of rumors in the coalition that elections are not far off. That said, cabinet ministers are speaking out against early elections but the ongoing dispute between the prime minister and his finance minister, Kulanu party leader Minister Moshe Kahlon may lead to the coalition falling. Aggravating the situation was statements made on motzei Shabbos by Mr. Netanyahu, in which he retracted the agreement reached with Kahlon last week to establish the new Israel Broadcasting Company. There are reports Mr. Netanyahu told Kahlon he is willing to dissolve the coalition if Kahlon does not fall in line and agree to shut the current IBC as he wishes.

PM Netanyahu’s remarks prior to departing for China

PM Netanyahu arrives in China

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)