China has replaced US to become Israel’s biggest source of income according to statistics. Data released recently by Israel’s National Bureau of Statistics shows that imports from China increased by 40 per cent last year and reached $10.7 billion.
The same data shows that Israel’s imports from the US, previously its largest import source, totaled $8.2 billion, which is a slight increase from 2020.
With Beijing accused of carrying out a campaign of genocide against its Uyghur Muslim population, Western governments have adopted a strategy of containment and have taken steps to push back against its growing influence. Sanctions imposed on officials in Beijing are part of that effort as is the AUKUS Security Pact with the UK and Australia.
Israel however has continued to deepen ties with Beijing. In 2021 the occupation state dropped its signature from a UN statement condemning China’s human rights violations against the Uyghur Muslims in Xinjiang province, including torture, forced sterilization and forced disappearances.