Tim Walz Slammed for Claiming China Has 'Moral Authority' in Israel-Iran Conflict

Washington, D.C. - Former vice presidential candidate Gov. Tim Walz, D-Minn., sparked a firestorm of criticism after suggesting China could serve as a "moral authority" in mediating the Israel-Iran conflict. Speaking at a Center for American Progress event last week, Walz responded to a question about de-escalating Middle East tensions, questioning the U.S.'s role as a neutral actor and floating China as a potential negotiator.

"Who holds the moral authority to negotiate peace? It might be the Chinese," Walz said, without elaborating on why an authoritarian state with a documented history of human rights abuses would fit the role.

Foreign policy experts were quick to dismantle Walz’s assertion. Danielle Pletka, a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, called the remarks "ignorance on display," urging Walz to "stick to local politics." She emphasized that neutrality isn’t needed when dealing with a democratic ally like Israel versus Iran, which she noted has threatened U.S. leaders, including President Donald Trump.

Andy Keiser, a senior fellow at the National Security Institute, pointed to China’s own record, including the detention of over a million Uyghur Muslims in Xinjiang since 2017, as evidence of its lack of moral standing. "China is committing cultural genocide," Keiser told reporters, dismissing the idea of Beijing as a neutral arbiter.

Human Rights Watch and the Council on Foreign Relations have documented China’s abuses in Xinjiang, including forced labor, involuntary sterilizations, and mass surveillance, labeling them "crimes against humanity." Pletka added that China’s support for Russia in Ukraine and its threats against Taiwan further disqualify it from any peacekeeping role.

Former U.S. Ambassador to Israel Nikki Haley also slammed Walz, calling his comments "absolute insanity" in a post on X. "Democrats think we need the Chinese to negotiate between Iran’s nuclear ambitions and Israel? Totally tone deaf," she wrote.

The controversy underscores the complexities of Middle East diplomacy, where alliances and moral clarity remain contentious. As tensions between Israel and Iran persist, Walz’s remarks have ignited a broader debate about who—if anyone—can broker peace in the region.