"The Impact of the US on Israel-China Relations: Past, Present, and Future"

The Impact of the US on Israel-China Relations: Past, Present, and Future

On January 9 1950, Israel became one of the first countries in the world to recognize the People's Republic of China. Yet, it took more than 40 years until formal diplomatic relations were established between Jerusalem and Beijing. During this time and over subsequent decades, Israel and China developed a complicated and multifaceted relationship that has included diplomatic clashes at the United Nations, flourishing trade ties, extensive technological cooperation, and clandestine arms deals. Yet, in a relationship characterized by twists and turns, it seems that the only constant has been the United States (US). Since the 1950s, all American administrations have been paying close attention to the Sino-Israeli relationship. In so doing, the US has been monitoring, guiding, and, if necessary, obstructing ties between Israel and China. While China has been treated as the challenger of the US in the international arena since the collapse of the Soviet Union, nowadays it appears that the great power rivalry between Washington and Beijing has entered a critical stage. Against this background, this article aspires to provide an overview of American influence on the Sino-Israeli relationship while focusing on challenges that Israel currently faces in navigating between the two superpowers.