Israel cannot afford to ignore China’s growing strategic ties with Egypt - opinion

Chinese President Xi Jinping recently visited Cairo, his first state visit there since 2016. This visit marks a deeper and crucial shift that Israel must not ignore.

President Xi arrived in Cairo for a formal visit at the end of August, right after the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit that was held in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.

This itinerary alone speaks volumes about how Beijing positions Cairo on its strategic map. Relations between China and Egypt are long-standing yet complex, largely because of Egypt’s ties with the United States.

The Egyptian newspaper Al-Masry Al-Youm described the relationship as entering a new phase, marking artificial intelligence and energy as sectors where cooperation is expected to expand.

Just recently, the two nations conducted a joint air exercise in which China, for the first time in history, deployed multirole Shenyang J-16 fighter jets to the African continent. This is not just trade – this is a growing presence by a global power in one of the most significant countries in the Middle East.

Yet the underlying, deeper story playing out here that should concern Israelis is not the one about China or even Egypt itself.

Indeed, this story is just one example of large changes that are taking place in the Middle East, right under Israel’s nose. Nevertheless, the government’s policy in the face of these changes has been either backward or nonexistent.

Further, the government may be incapable of implementing even the most basic steps in this regard.

It goes without saying that Israel’s peace treaty with Egypt and the nations’ ties are anchors of regional stability, even if there are disagreements.

Knowing the importance of these ties, it stands to reason that the government would have an organized, sensible approach to maintaining them.

It should have a plan tailored to an understanding of the nexus of American, Egyptian, and Israeli interests. As for the Gaza Strip, the government should have a vision that includes a strategic anchor like Egypt having more influence than countries like Turkey and Qatar.

Yet, like on so many other regional and global issues, this government has none of these. Its foreign policy is driven entirely by short-term domestic political considerations, and it lacks the ability and credibility to manage complex, difficult dialogue with partners and potential partners.

For example, this government would never put together a plan, implement it, or have the credibility and standing to even convince Egypt to deepen energy and economic ties.

Neither does it have a tactic set to maintain a regular strategic dialogue with the largest Arab state – one that has diplomatic ties with Israel.

When it comes to finding ways to work together on shared challenges, like ensuring freedom of navigation in the Red Sea in the face of the Houthi threat, there seems to be no strategy on this front either.

These are common-sense steps that would strengthen ties that aren’t happening because Israel, under this government, doesn’t have a foreign policy. Ties with Egypt are just one instance among dozens of matters where this is happening. For that, Israelis are paying a price economically, in terms of both security and diplomacy.

Government capable of managing Israel

So what needs to change under the next government?

First and foremost, we need a government that actually manages Israel. Those in senior positions need diverse experience managing complex issues and systems.

They should also have expertise in the field that they are responsible for. As a veteran of Israel’s representation abroad, I know what it looks like when there is a government of career politicians who always put politics first rather than policy and proper management.

We saw this in the government that was led by prime minister Naftali Bennett and foreign minister Yair Lapid, and this year, together, they have built a team like that.

Second, we need a government with a clear policy agenda and process. I know from my own experience representing Israel’s economic interests in Asia that on complex, multifaceted issues, there is often no perfect answer.

But with a clear agenda, compass, and process, decision-making improves. One reason I decided to join Bennett’s team is that while many politicians plan campaigns and meet with political strategists, Bennett did something different.

Bennett spent two years building detailed, thorough action plans to address dozens of challenges facing the country, alongside top experts, rooted in his own understanding of the twists and turns of the political system.

In other words, Israel had the right people and the right plans. It seems simple. But over the last four years, we’ve missed these things dearly.

Because of this, opportunities have passed Israel by, and changes in the region like the ones aforementioned regarding Egypt have occurred with Israel not even being present at the decision-making table.

Politics aside, there won’t be a change in course until the country has a government that spends less time making TikToks, tries to govern with simplistic slogans, and meets with party activists in cases best suited to its own political survival, such as its primaries.

Israel needs a government that spends its time on policy planning, tracking, and trying to influence regional developments, one that understands that running the country is its job, not a side gig to gain political influence.

On October 27, Israelis have the chance to choose such a government and put Israel on the path to repair.

The author is the former head of the Israel Trade & Economic Missions in China and a Knesset candidate from the B’Yachad Party, led by Naftali Bennett.