Peloni: I would argue that rather than pursue an avenue of interest which would further isolate Israel from China, Israel should instead direct its attentions to the very tangible interest which China has in its connections with Iran, and that of course is their oil sales. In fact, Israel just passed an opportunity to reduce any leverage which the Iranians have over China when they failed to attack the energy sector assets in Iran which are the source of both Iran’s wherewithal to subsidize its terror proxies as well as the tie which hold China’s interests against Israel. So with a single attack, Israel could both cripple Iran’s economic infrastructure thus destabilizing the Iranian regime, while it would also serve to free China from its dependency upon Iran’s oil.
One more thing to note, is that in the follow up to the pager campaign in Lebanon, China did appear to change its rhetoric with regards to Israel. As Carice Witte, executive director of SIGNAL Group, noted at the time, “China realized Israel might win and is therefore adjusting its stance, realizing that, in order to be in the Middle East, Beijing will need some level of decent relations with Israel.” Hence, the way by which to change the balance of Chinese interests in the region would seem to be for Israel to win the war, following which Israel would be free leverage its significant economic position in the region with regards to China.
This Sino-Israeli diplomatic nadir offers an opportunity for Israel to reassess the merits of diplomatic and economic cooperation with Beijing.
By DAVID RADER & BRYCE MITCHELL | OCTOBER 26, 2024
CHINA’S AMBASSADOR Fu Cong speaks at a UN Security Council meeting on the situation in Gaza, earlier this month. Following the horrific attacks of October 7, 2023, China – one of Israel’s most significant business and trade partners – would neither condemn Hamas’s act of terrorism nor provide any h (photo credit: BRENDAN MCDERMID/REUTERS)
Following the horrific attacks of October 7, 2023, a bloodied and bruised Israel looked to allies and partners for compassion, support, and assistance. In one of Israel’s most vulnerable moments, many condemned the attack, some sent materials and supplies, but China – one of Israel’s most significant business and trade partners – would neither condemn Hamas’s act of terrorism nor provide any help to Israel.
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