The Diplomat author Mercy Kuo regularly engages subject-matter experts, policy practitioners and strategic thinkers across the globe for their diverse insights into U.S. Asia policy. This conversation with Dr. Yoram Evron – associate professor of Political Science and Chinese Studies at the University of Haifa, Israel, and co-editor together with Rotem Kowner of “Israel-Asia Relations in the Twenty-First Century: The Search for Partners in a Changing World” (2023) – is the 429th in “The Trans-Pacific View Insight Series.”
Explain Israel’s perception of Asia’s strategic relevance to Israel’s national interests.
Starting in the 1990s and continually expanding through the first decades of the 21st century, Asia’s importance for Israel’s economy, diplomacy, national security, and even culture and daily life rose significantly. During this period, Israel cemented significant and enduring diplomatic relations with most Asian states, helping to change its image of an isolated country.
Concurrently, it consolidated vibrant economic-technological relations with all the Asian powers, which was one of the drivers behind its economic ascent in the first decades of the 21st century. Also, some of these countries, mostly India and other Asian countries, became essential clients of Israel’s defense industry, with whom Israel formed security cooperation of different sorts.
This, in turn, allowed Israel to strengthen its strategic posture in the Middle East in both open and hidden ways. Being a part of the I2U2 Group, a forum that was formed in 2022 by India, the United States, the United Arab Emirates, and Israel to advance economic opportunities and, probably, also strategic causes, is just one example. Yet, as detailed below, the full strategic potential of Asia for Israel is yet to be realized.
Describe the three circles of Asian countries in Israel’s strategic priorities.
One of the most evident signs of Israel’s deepening ties with Asia and its evolving approach to the region is the growing alignment between Israel’s network of relationships in Asia and Asia’s political-strategic hierarchy. Before the 1990s, Israel’s cooperation – often covert – was largely limited to weaker, poorer countries in Asia that had little choice but to accept assistance, even from a marginalized state like Israel. In contrast, major Asian powers either maintained minimal relations with Israel (e.g., Japan, India) or had no relations (e.g., China).
Since the 1990s, and especially in the 21st century, Israel’s focus, level of engagement, and strategic interest in various Asian nations have become more aligned with their regional and global significance. As a result, Israel’s key partners in Asia now include China and India – two countries that have become crucial to its economy, foreign policy, security, and strategic positioning. In China’s case, its importance stems not only from its positive impact on Israel’s economy but also from the potential political risks it poses and its influence on Israel’s relationship with the United States.
Following Israel’s top-tier partners, the next in line in terms of priority and the strength of connections are regional powers like Japan, the two Koreas (with North Korea noted for its military ties to Israel’s key adversaries), and Singapore. Meanwhile, countries that once topped Israel’s list of regional allies, such as Myanmar and the Philippines, have now fallen to a lower rank in its hierarchy of partnerships.
Weigh Asia’s geostrategic importance to Israel vis-à-vis China-U.S. global competition.
In recent years, the China-U.S. rivalry has extended, among other regions, also into the Middle East, where both nations are vying to expand their influence. For the U.S., this effort also involves its Asian allies, who are adjusting their regional policies to some extent. As a result, major Asian powers – particularly China, India, and Japan – have increased their political-strategic engagement in the Middle East, moving beyond their earlier focus on energy. This shift is reflected in their alignment with Israel (as seen with India and Japan) or, more recently, in opposition to it (as in China’s case), illustrated by developments like the I2U2 Group and reactions to the Israel-Hamas War.
At the same time, the spillover of China-U.S. bloc competition into the Middle East creates new opportunities for Israel’s cooperation with Asian nations. Israel already enjoys a strong base of security cooperation with India, while North Korea’s military support for Israel’s adversaries creates shared interests between Israel, Japan, and South Korea in countering this state.
Analyze the impact of the current war in Gaza on Israel’s ability to shore up support from Asian countries.
Relations with the United States seem to be the primary factor shaping Asian countries’ stances on the war and the extent of their support for Israel. India’s position is further complicated by its sensitivity to Muslim sentiment due to its large Muslim population. Additionally, a general reluctance to engage actively in Middle East conflicts influences the level and nature of the support Asian powers are willing to offer.
Consequently, China seeks to weaken U.S. influence in the region by taking an anti-Israel stance. In contrast, Japan is more cautiously supportive of Israel, while India navigates a more balanced approach, weighing its partnerships with the U.S. and Israel against its ties to the Global South and domestic considerations. The most unequivocal support for Israel comes from Taiwan, which draws parallels between its own strategic situation and that of Israel. However, while much appreciated, Taiwan’s diplomatic weakness restricts the level of assistance it can provide.
Assess the implications of potential shifts in U.S. Israel policy under a new U.S. presidency and how the Israeli government might factor in those shifts into Israel’s Asia approach.
The intersection of China-U.S. competition in the Middle East, Israel’s growing strategic ties in the region, and its relationships with key Asian powers are closely linked. To counter China’s expanding influence in the Middle East, the U.S. aims to forge strategic alignments involving both regional players and select Asian powers. In this context, U.S. support for Israel is primarily driven by broader global and regional strategic considerations. However, U.S. policy toward Israel is also shaped by domestic factors, some of which firmly back Israel, while others are less supportive.
In the long run, strategic priorities will likely guide U.S. policy, reinforcing ties between Israel, the United States’ Asian allies, and Middle Eastern actors. However, this trajectory can be expected to gain more momentum when strategic imperatives align with domestic political trends.