Senior Israeli politicians have recently been under attack by a public American campaign seeking to limit Israel's ties with China. Israel, for its part, cannot ignore the vast contribution of Chinese companies, which bring with them proven experience and advanced technologies that are lacking in Israel, and help lower project costs, even when they do not win tenders.
So far, despite growing pressure from the Biden administration, the Bennett government does not appear to have fundamentally changed the previous government's policy of "walking between the raindrops." Officially, senior government officials make it clear to their American counterparts they are attentive to their concerns, but make sure to convey vague and non-binding messages. In some areas, where Israel in any event has no intention of including Chinese companies, the Americans have received a clear promise.
American pressure is not only about Chinese investments, however, but also seeks to mobilize Israel to openly join US campaigns against the human rights situation in China. In general, Israel refrains from joining public statements on the subject, and in any case is not interested in making open statements in the field of human rights, an issue in which Israel itself is often a target of criticism from countries around the world.
As the rivalry between China and the United States sharpens and intensifies, it will be difficult for the Israeli government to continue with its current policy.
Senior Israeli politicians have recently been under attack by a public American campaign seeking to limit Israel's ties with China. Israel, for its part, cannot ignore the vast contribution of Chinese companies, which bring with them proven experience and advanced technologies that are lacking in Israel, and help lower project costs, even when they do not win tenders.
So far, despite growing pressure from the Biden administration, the Bennett government does not appear to have fundamentally changed the previous government's policy of "walking between the raindrops." Officially, senior government officials make it clear to their American counterparts they are attentive to their concerns, but make sure to convey vague and non-binding messages. In some areas, where Israel in any event has no intention of including Chinese companies, the Americans have received a clear promise.
American pressure is not only about Chinese investments, however, but also seeks to mobilize Israel to openly join US campaigns against the human rights situation in China. In general, Israel refrains from joining public statements on the subject, and in any case is not interested in making open statements in the field of human rights, an issue in which Israel itself is often a target of criticism from countries around the world.
As the rivalry between China and the United States sharpens and intensifies, it will be difficult for the Israeli government to continue with its current policy.