Israel’s Foreign Relations: From Cold War Tensions to Global Partnerships
1. Israel-China Diplomatic Relations
Establishment and Early Challenges
Israel and China established full diplomatic relations in 1992. Several factors contributed to the delay:
- Cold War Alignments: After Israel’s independence in 1948 and China’s communist revolution in 1949, the two countries found themselves on opposing sides of the Cold War. China aligned with the USSR and its Arab allies, while Israel sought support from the US.
- Bandung Conference (1955): This conference of non-aligned nations marked a turning point for the Third World. Israel’s exclusion due to Arab pressure highlighted its need to engage with countries like China.
- Suez War (1956) and Its Aftermath: The Suez War further strained relations, with China intensifying its anti-Western rhetoric and supporting Arab nations against Israel.
- Sino-Soviet Split: The rift between China and the USSR in the 1960s led to a shift in China’s perspective on Israel, particularly after the Yom Kippur War (1973), which China viewed as a proxy war between the superpowers.
Growing Convergence and Evolving Ties
Several factors led to China’s growing interest in Israel:
- Appreciation for Israel’s Role: China recognized Israel’s efforts in countering Soviet influence in the Middle East.
- Military and Technological Expertise: China sought access to Israel’s military equipment and knowledge, particularly in upgrading Soviet weaponry.
- Pragmatic Leadership: Deng Xiaoping’s rise to power in China ushered in a more pragmatic foreign policy approach.
Key developments included:
- China’s absence from the 1991 UN vote to repeal the”Zionism is racis” resolution.
- The establishment of full diplomatic relations in 1992, facilitated by Israeli businesspeople.
Today, China-Israel relations are complex. China balances its energy interests with Iran and its growing economic and technological ties with Israel. Despite US pressure leading to the official end of military cooperation in 2005, China remains Israel’s third-largest trading partner.
2. Israel’s Representation in UN Bodies
Early Challenges and the Arab Bloc
Israel faced significant obstacles in securing representation within UN bodies for several decades:
- Shifting Alliances: The USSR’s policy towards Israel turned antagonistic after the late 1940s, leading to support for Arab states. China’s stance also shifted in 1955.
- Decolonization and the Anti-Israel Bloc: The emergence of newly independent states in Africa and Southeast Asia, many aligned with the Soviet Union or Arab countries, strengthened the anti-Israel bloc within the UN General Assembly (UNGA).
- Exploitation of UN Platforms: Arab states utilized the UN as a battleground against Israel, leveraging their majority in the UNGA to pass resolutions and create bodies that disseminated anti-Israel propaganda.
- The”Zionism is Racis” Resolution (1975): This resolution exemplified the UN’s bias against Israel, equating Zionism with a form of discrimination.
Improving Relations and Ongoing Challenges
Israel’s position within the UN began to improve in the 1990s due to several factors:
- End of the Cold War: The collapse of the Soviet Union diminished the influence of the anti-Israel bloc.
- Diplomatic Breakthroughs: China and India established relations with Israel, weakening the Arab bloc’s dominance.
- US Pressure: The United States exerted pressure to curb anti-Israel bias within the UN system.
Despite these positive developments, challenges remain. Israel still faces opposition in certain UN bodies and struggles to secure representation in regional groups due to ongoing conflicts with its neighbors.
3. France-Israel Military Alliance (1950s)
Origins and Cooperation
A strategic alliance emerged between France and Israel in the 1950s, driven by shared interests:
Algerian War: France sought to counter Egyptian President Nasser’s support for Algerian independence fighters. Shared History: The French defense minister’s experience fighting alongside Jewish soldiers in World War II fostered a sense of camaraderie.Key aspects of the alliance included:
- Arms Trade: France became a major supplier of weapons to Israel.
- Nuclear Collaboration: The alliance extended to cooperation in developing nuclear technology.
Decline and Dissolution
The alliance was short-lived, unraveling by the early 1960s:
- Algerian Independence (1962): The primary reason for the alliance dissipated with Algeria’s independence.
- De Gaulle’s Foreign Policy: President Charles de Gaulle sought to distance France from Israel, aiming to repair relations with the Arab world and assert French independence from US influence.
De Gaulle’s efforts to court Arab favor were evident in his stance during the 1967 Arab-Israeli war, where he publicly sided with Arab nations and launched a PR campaign targeting Arab audiences.