Pompeo's visit focused on American fear of Chinese ownership or operation of Israeli infrastructure

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo comes to Israel for about eight hours to discuss Netanyahu with two key issues: Iran and China. Washington is very unhappy with the acquisition of Israeli infrastructure by China. It is about the two ports of Israel in Haifa and Ashdod and that China is the one that will establish Israel's new ports. Alongside these, the US is unhappy with the acquisition of Beijing's Tnuva and Dor Alon Tabor power plant.
In statements by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu; Blue and White chairman Benny Gantz; and designated foreign minister Gabi Ashkenazi, after meeting with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Wednesday, they did not address Israel-China relations. , About the joint struggle with Iran and what Gantz called "President Trump's peace plan" - and rightly defined as the program of sovereignty over Judea and Samaria.
However, Pompeo did not drag himself to Israel for a moment before the two alternate prime ministers presented the basics of their government to address these issues. In fact, he came to deal with the economic relations between Israel and China - while knowing that Israelis would be able to involve both issues. As a factor that has been present in such conversations in the past has stated: "In this conversation, there is no stage in which the parties say 'We are done talking about annexation, now we will start talking about China.' .
The US is still dealing with the health crisis that has been plagued by the Corona virus - but President Donald Trump is largely mired in the economic crisis that will ensue. About 35 million Americans have joined the unemployment cycle in the past two months, and Trump is aiming to redirect their rage to China. In November, in the first phase, Trump blames the Eastern powers for the spread of the virus, followed by accusations of the economic crisis.
Pompeo came to Israel to send a message to the Israeli government about the US desire to impose restrictions on the ability of Chinese companies to own Israeli companies engaged in essential services and operate essential infrastructure. These are not just guidelines to Israel, but messages that the United States is conveying to its allies.
The message that Pompeo conveyed today to Israel was not drafted in an official document, as were the agreements reached by the parties at the meeting. At most, each party prepared its own meeting summary. Dozens of American diplomats stationed in Israel regularly follow Israeli policy on issues that are troubling their administration.

Americans are focused on the fear of Chinese ownership or operation of Israeli infrastructure. The immediate implications of the call may be reflected in the ability of Chinese companies to participate in the construction of the Shurak 2 desalination plant in Kibbutz Palmachim - as well as in the tender for privatization of the Ramat Hovav power plant. It could also have implications for Chinese officials' participation in privatizations that the Companies Authority wants to promote after the new government is formed - whether it is the privatization of sea ports or GNP.
In January, US pressure on Israel in this area led to the establishment of the Foreign Investment Commission in Israel. The decisions of this committee, which operates in the Ministry of Finance under the supervision of the Chief Economist, are confidential. 

Photo: Kobi Gideon / Government Press Office