Benjamin Netanyahu, the prime minister of Israel, has made plans to visit China, which has prompted such a trip. Netanyahu was in charge of enhancing diplomatic ties and assisting in opening up the sizable Chinese market for Israeli goods.
China, a global powerhouse, wants to gain more recognition in the Middle East and is particularly serious in Jewish systems.
It is time to reevaluate Jerusalem’s ties to Beijing, even though the visit is currently in fear due to Netanyahu. China is a sizable industry, but it is also one of the United States’ competitors.
The US and China’s rivalry is a key element of the modern worldwide scene. It is difficult to imagine that Israel won’t support the US in this conflict between the political world’s leader and an ascending dictatorship. Israel must express some reluctance toward China in order to maintain its strong aid for the US, the State of Israel’s most significant friend.
Beijing is also not likely to take Washington’s place as a proper friend.
It is noticeable that the US and Europe are attempting to sever their ties with China on a political and economic level. There are efforts to reduce imports from China, particularly in goods where reliance on China poses a threat to national security.
Additionally, steps are being taken to cut back on Chinese assets. In order to stop Foreign industrial and technological spy, the West is becoming more and more vigilant. Israel is even moving in this direction, primarily as a result of Washington’s stress.
So, it would be wise to rethink your trip to China. Second, it is viewed by many as a show of defiance against US President Joe Biden, who, eight months after taking office as prime minister once more, has yet to extend an invitation to Netanyahu to attend the White House. On a number of problems, particularly Iran, settlements, and constitutional reform, the Biden presidency disagrees with the Israeli state.
For the State of Israel, it is unwanted to aggravate tensions with the US over a non-existentential problem. Additionally, the Democratic and Republican parties in the US both harbor hostility toward China. One of the few problems that the divided American political system does agree on is the plan toward China. A trip to China may be postponed.
Additionally, Israel is now receiving criticism for its approach to Ukraine, and European nations anticipate that it will support Kiev more effectively in its conflict with Russia. Even though Jerusalem’s circumspect approach to Kiev makes sense, it is not a good idea to portray Israel as departing from European democracy because its prime minister travels to China.
The I2U2 initiative, which connects India with the Middle East and the Mediterranean via the United Arab Emirates and Israel, could be negatively impacted by a journey. Although it is marketed as an economic span, it strengthens the Abraham Accords on a political and corporate level. Additionally, it might be viewed as an American substitute for the Chinese Belt and Road Initiative.
relationships to the Indo-Pacific
Israel may, in fact, take into account its ties to the nations of the Indo-Pacific area, which serve as the primary stage for the American-Chinese power struggle. India, Japan, South Korea, Australia, the Philippines, Vietnam, and Singapore all have a heightened sense of threat from China as result of Beijing’s extreme coverage in the region.
Israel and the Asian region have substantial economic ties and crucial national security cooperation. Israel may be careful not to sour the connections it has worked so hard to forge in order to boost Israeli product selling to the Chinese market.
Given that the economic growth rate is slower than anticipated, there are many concerns about the Taiwanese economy’s resilience in the wake of the crisis. Large export dependence, high levels of state and business debt, stark economic disparities between China’s regions, ecological issues, and an aging population are among the structural issues that plague the Chinese economy.
The enormous state ownership of businesses and government legislation are, without a doubt, the biggest issues facing the market. All of this is not encouraging for the Foreign business.
China has never been Israel’s political ally. Beijing has angry voting habits at the UN and other international organizations.
China and Iran, a ferocious foe of Israel, entered into an agreement in March 2021 that promised sizeable Chinese assets in exchange for crude materials for 25 years. Although the words of the agreement was not made public, Tehran was able to lessen the US and its allies’ financial loneliness by signing it.
The Islamic Republic’s position in the region was strengthened in March when China mediated a deal between Iran and Saudi Arabia.
China is a steadfast ally of the Palestinians as well. China voted in favor of the UN General Assembly resolution in December 2022 asking the International Court of Justice to provide guidance on the effects of Israel’s activity of Arab lands. In June, it also entered into a” proper relationship” with the Palestinian Authority.
The development of missile and nuclear systems in the Middle East is also a result of China. It is difficult to believe that China did not notice North Korea’s cunning part in transferring destabilizing solutions to Iran and Syria.
Why does Israel recognize China’s success in its desire to become more well-known in the Middle East? A re-evaluation of Israel’s place toward Taiwan, a democratic and prosperous nation, is also required in illumination of the dangerous Chinese policy toward Israel. Maybe it’s time to warn China that there is a cost to its unfavorable perception of Israel.
Israel is forced to explicitly and strongly support the US in the fight against the world. Even though it sells less to China, that is necessary. Netanyahu should include more capital places in Asia in his journey if he still believes that going to China is worthwhile.
The Jerusalem Institute for Strategy and Security ( JISS) is led by Professor Efraim Inbar.