Digital Library
From Curiosity to Skepticism Israeli Public Opinion on China
Topic:
Israel Literacy
Principal Investigators:
Roy Ben Tzur
Study Date:
2024
Source:
Institute for National Security Studies
Key Findings:
Israeli public opinion on China shows a dynamic and complex picture of relations between the two countries that varies according to local and global political and economic contexts. Support for China among the Israeli public has changed dramatically over recent years. The Israeli Chinese rapprochement that began in 2013 induced most Israelis to adopt a positive attitude towards China.
Starting in 2020, and especially after October 7, 2023, support for China has fallen steeply. Israelis’ perception of China is affected by factors such as the policy pursued by Israeli governments, people-to-people ties, the extent and character of media coverage of China, and Israel’s relations with the US and China. At the same time, over the years, Israeli public opinion on China has differed from that of other developed and democratic countries—the decline in support for China in Israel began several years later than in those countries. This article reviews the figures for public opinion in Israel on China. It examines the changes that have occurred, the factors that brought about these changes, and how these changes may be expected to indicate a deterioration in Israel’s future relations with China.
Methodology:
Strategic Assessment: A Multidisciplinary Journal on National Security is a journal published by the Institute for National Security Studies (INSS). It aims to challenge and to enrich the scholarly debate and public discourse on a range of subjects related to national security in the broadest sense of the term. Along with its focus on Israel and the Middle East, the journal includes articles on national security in the international arena. Academic and research-based articles are joined by policy papers, professional forums, academic surveys, and book reviews, and are written by INSS researchers and guest contributors. The views presented are those of the authors alone.