• news

• Political-political

The CIA chief's message to Bennett: Concerned about Chinese activity in Israel

At their meeting last week, the head of the US intelligence agency said that China's intrusion into the Israeli economy and its involvement in the high-tech market and large infrastructure projects in Washington is a cause for concern.

Tags

• cia

• United States

• China

• Naftali Bennett

Lightning Ravid

Thursday, 19 August 2021, 09:11

• Share on Facebook

• Share on WhatsApp

• Share on general

• Share on general

• Share on Twitter

• Share on Email

0 comments

The head of the US Central Intelligence Agency, the CIA, William Burns, who visited Israel last week, told Prime Minister Naftali Bennett at their meeting that the United States is concerned about Chinese intrusion into the Israeli economy, especially in high-tech and large infrastructure projects - Walla! Israeli officials who are updated on the details of the meeting.

Burns Levant's message on the Chinese issue was the highest level at which President Biden's administration raised the issue with the Israeli government. The issue of Chinese involvement in Israel has in the past been a source of tension between the former President Trump administration and the Netanyahu government. During Trump's tenure, the United States warned Israel against Chinese intrusion into major infrastructure projects, such as the construction of the new port in Haifa or the Gush Dan light rail.

Former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu deepened relations with China during his 12 years in office and encouraged Chinese entry into the Israeli market.

During Trump's tenure, Netanyahu dragged his feet in the face of messages from the White House and texted American demands to restrict Chinese activity in Israel.

More on Walla!

Bennett heads CIA: Israel and US need to prepare for a scenario in which Iran does not return to the nuclear deal

To the full article

PM says he understands the concerns of the Biden administration. Bennett and Burns, last week (Photo: Government Press Office, Amos Ben Gershom)

Israeli officials said Bennett told the CIA chief that he understood the concerns of the Biden administration and was even a partner in some of them.

Bennett cited as an example the recent media reports that China has carried out cyber attacks in the last two years against Israeli high-tech companies.

"In recent months, we have begun a dialogue with the Biden government regarding China," said a senior Israeli official.

"The United States asked us about specific projects such as the Chinese involvement in the Gush Dan metro project. We told the Americans that we would welcome American companies to build large infrastructure projects in Israel, but no American company goes to tenders."

Chinese citizens digging the light rail in Tel Aviv (Photo: Reuven Castro)

Last week, during a U.S. Senate hearing, senior State and Defense Department officials said the Biden administration had warned Middle Eastern countries that China did not want security and stability in the region and that increasing Chinese penetration into their economy could ultimately hurt their sovereignty and security relations with the United States.

"We know our partners and our allies in the Middle East are in trade with China and that's fine. But we made it clear to them that there is a certain kind of cooperation that we cannot live with," US State Department spokeswoman Mira Reznik said at the hearing.

Israeli officials have said they expect to hold further talks with the Biden government on China in the coming weeks and months.

Talks are expected between the National Security Office at the Prime Minister's Office and the White House National Security Council.

The Chinese issue is also expected to come up at a meeting in Washington of Prime Minister Bennett and President Biden next week.

• Share on Facebook

• Share on WhatsApp

• Share on general

• Share on general

• Share on Twitter

• Share on Email

0 comments