We learned recently of Prime Minister Netanyahu's projected visit to China. The event should be examined from three angles: relations with the United States, relations with China, and the possible results of the visit.
Regarding the first angle, even if the expected visit does not shake relations with the US, it will certainly not enhance them. The Biden administration has not hidden its dissatisfaction with the Israeli government's activities, and more than six months into his term, the Prime Minister has yet to be invited to the White House. A visit to China, the US’ most bitter rival, which has been framed by a "senior government official" as a visit designed to explain to the Americans that "Israel has alternatives," will certainly not hasten the long-awaited invitation to Washington, even though Netanyahu himself was quick to clarify that Israel's loyalty to the US remains firmer than ever.
Relations with China have also recently been at a low point. Beijing has sharpened its tone toward Israel, initiated discussions at the United Nations, drafted statements of condemnation, ignored terrorist attacks and rocket fire on Israeli citizens, and generally stood by the Palestinians and against Israel. On the other hand, China is "flirting" with the idea of international mediation and even offered Abu Mazen to help in promoting peace talks with Israel based on the three-point plan it has formulated. The President of China will surely raise the issue in his meeting with Netanyahu, and thus the visit will allow China to acquire more points for its image as an "objective mediator" in the Middle East, at the expense of the United States.
On the other hand, there may be benefits for Israel from this visit: strengthening economic ties with China, including attracting Chinese investments to the hi-tech industry, which has run into difficulties; the promotion of normalization with Saudi Arabia; and even the promotion of indirect talks with Iran. Yet in all of these, it is doubtful whether Chinese involvement will be to Israel's benefit, and it is doubtful whether the cost will not exceed the benefit.
We learned recently of Prime Minister Netanyahu's projected visit to China. The event should be examined from three angles: relations with the United States, relations with China, and the possible results of the visit.
Regarding the first angle, even if the expected visit does not shake relations with the US, it will certainly not enhance them. The Biden administration has not hidden its dissatisfaction with the Israeli government's activities, and more than six months into his term, the Prime Minister has yet to be invited to the White House. A visit to China, the US’ most bitter rival, which has been framed by a "senior government official" as a visit designed to explain to the Americans that "Israel has alternatives," will certainly not hasten the long-awaited invitation to Washington, even though Netanyahu himself was quick to clarify that Israel's loyalty to the US remains firmer than ever.
Relations with China have also recently been at a low point. Beijing has sharpened its tone toward Israel, initiated discussions at the United Nations, drafted statements of condemnation, ignored terrorist attacks and rocket fire on Israeli citizens, and generally stood by the Palestinians and against Israel. On the other hand, China is "flirting" with the idea of international mediation and even offered Abu Mazen to help in promoting peace talks with Israel based on the three-point plan it has formulated. The President of China will surely raise the issue in his meeting with Netanyahu, and thus the visit will allow China to acquire more points for its image as an "objective mediator" in the Middle East, at the expense of the United States.
On the other hand, there may be benefits for Israel from this visit: strengthening economic ties with China, including attracting Chinese investments to the hi-tech industry, which has run into difficulties; the promotion of normalization with Saudi Arabia; and even the promotion of indirect talks with Iran. Yet in all of these, it is doubtful whether Chinese involvement will be to Israel's benefit, and it is doubtful whether the cost will not exceed the benefit.