Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu recently confirmed he plans to visit China later this year. This announcement comes amid a Chinese diplomatic push in the region and disagreements between the Biden administration and Netanyahu’s rightist coalition government over its judicial-reform effort.
For decades, the United States and Israel have maintained a values-based partnership that is as profound as it is practical. While temporary disagreements are inevitable between such longstanding allies, our shared values, historical ties, and strategic objectives have consistently fostered unity. That is why Netanyahu’s decision to visit China is a strategic mistake.
A visit to China may offer short-term economic prospects and an immediate sense of diplomatic validation. But at what cost? The trip presents China with an opportunity to widen divisions between the U.S. and its allies, undermining American strategic interests and strengthening China’s geopolitical foothold. As former IDF military-intelligence chief Yamos Adlin observed, “if someone in the prime minister’s circle thinks it’s smart to act like [Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed] bin Salman and travel to China to annoy Biden and show him that Israel has another strategic option, he’s making a serious mistake and doesn’t understand the importance of the competition between the geopolitical superpowers of the 21st century.” It could also send the wrong signal to other U.S. allies, suggesting that our partnerships are fragile and can be easily discarded during disagreements.
The U.S.–Israel alliance has stood the test of time, enduring differences of opinion, policy, and administration. At this critical juncture, our shared commitments should far outweigh any temporary disputes.