As Jerusalem continues to expand its diplomatic horizons, both in the Middle East and further afield, it should, according to Jacob Nagel, take Taipei into consideration.
Israel and Taiwan, as two democracies threatened by dictatorships, should strengthen their ties in all areas, including defense. In the event of any conflict between the United States and China over Taiwan, Israel’s message should be clear and sharp: the Jewish state stands with America, its greatest ally.
It is clear that China is not Israel’s friend, but the Jewish state has not always recognized this reality, and some Israelis don’t admit it even now. . . . More recent developments, however, have made it undeniable that Israeli ties with China run counter to the Jewish state’s interests.
In 2021, Beijing and Tehran signed a 25-year agreement that entails a $400 billion Chinese investment in the Iranian economy in exchange for cheap Iranian oil. The Chinese money would give Iran access to sensitive and advanced Chinese technologies, boost Iran’s defense industry, and support the development of conventional and nuclear weapons. Chinese money would also finance Tehran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, a U.S.-designated terrorist organization, and would enable continued Iranian financing for terrorist groups in the Middle East, including Hizballah and Hamas.
Israel now has a real opportunity to strengthen both Israeli and U.S. interests in Taiwan, at China’s expense. If Israel acts wisely and cautiously, a resource-intensive market may open for Israeli industry, directly or via the United States.
Read more on FDD: https://www.fdd.org/analysis/2023/07/07/israel-should-strengthen-ties-with-taiwan/