The Oct 7 Hamas attack on Israel, gives China free rein to advance
itself as de facto leader of the Global South in opposition to Israel.
FACTS ON FILE
<><>As of 2022, China was Israel’s 2nd largest trading partner,
<><>total trade value reached a whopping $24.45 billion.
<><>China sided w/ Hamas’ brutality against Israel.
<><>China said Israel’s ground incursion into Gaza went beyond self-defense
BACKSTORY-—the Trump administration had restricted sensitive US technological exports to China. As a result, China turned to cooperative Israel. China’s direct investment in Israel’s IT industry, especially in chips and semiconductors, now has increased.
In 2017, Israeli PM Netanyahu said China accounts for one-third of the investment in Israeli high technology, which includes US military technology the US shares w/ Israel, since Israel believes it is the US’ strongest ally.
In the ’90s, Israel sold military equipment and technologies to China, including the Harpy missile system. This incident chilled relations between the United States and Israel, with Israel being suspended from its status as a US Security Cooperative Participant in the Joint Strike Fighter program. However, on 6 Nov 2005, Israel stated that it had been re-admitted into the program.
The US had to pressure its strongest ally, Israel, to stop sharing US military technology w/ China.
Yet Israel still doesn’t restrict China from acquiring dual-usage technologies that could have military implications that undermines the safety and security of American families.
A succession of US administrations warned Israel about its growing tie with China, sharing concern about China using Israel as a backdoor to access sensitive technologies from the US.
The most vocal objection to Sino-Israeli ties came from the Trump administration. When former Secy of State Mike Pompeo visited Israel in 2019, he warned Israelis that the CCP “engages in spying through its commercial state-owned enterprises and presents risk through its technology systems. Pompeo said China’s actions posed a risk.
Unfortunately, Israel largely brushed aside the warnings. Like many other countries, China’s massive market has enticed Israel. Plus, the Israeli government hoped China’s good relationships with Arab nations might help Israel.
This year, Netanyahu was working on a Sino-Israeli free trade agreement and planned to visit China. But China’s siding w/ Hamas should wake up Israel’s leaders to the reality that Communist China’s relationship with Israel is a cause for concern.
We are a global power and the PRC is a threat to us.
Israel is a regional power and sees no threat in the PRC.