Israel is giving China the keys to its largest port – and the U.S. Navy may abandon Israel

[TomSea]

Israel is giving China the keys to its largest port – and the U.S. Navy may abandon Israel
Amos Harel

 14.09.2018 | 15:52

Shaul Horev dropped a bombshell, but hardly anyone noticed. Horev, an Israel Defense Forces reservist brigadier general who has served, among other posts, as the navy chief of staff and chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission, is currently director of the Research Center for Maritime Policy and Strategy at the University of Haifa. At the end of August, the center held a conference, to which participants from the United States were invited, to examine security issues relating to Israel and the Mediterranean region.

In an interview with the religious-Zionist media outlet Arutz Sheva, Prof. Horev noted that one topic that came up at the event was Chinese investments in Mediterranean ports, and in Israel in particular. Pointing out that a Chinese company will soon start operating Haifa Port, he said that Israel needs to create a mechanism that will examine Chinese investments to ensure that they do not put Israel’s security interests at risk.

“When China acquires ports,” Horev said, “it does so under the guise of maintaining a trade route from the Indian Ocean via the Suez Canal to Europe, such as the port of Piraeus in Greece. Does an economic horizon like this have a security impact? We are not weighing that possibility sufficiently. One of the senior American figures at the conference raised the question of whether the U.S. Sixth Fleet can see Haifa as a home port. In light of the Chinese takeover, the question is no longer on the agenda.”

Read more at: https://www.haaretz.com/amp/israel-news/.premium-israel-is-giving-china-the-keys-to-its-largest-port-1.6470527?__twitter_impression=true

Another Chinese story, a bit odd. I would think this would NOT go through. This doesn't seem right that Israel might do this to us.

[To-Whose-Benefit?]

Well this is a major bowl of suck.

Who are the raving idiots in Israel who let these leeches in?

[240B]

If Israel is really doing this, then there has to be some multidimensional strategic interest which is not apparent on the surface. Also, Israel would not have done this without at least consulting with the U.S. as to what the ramifications may be.

Except for Carter, Obama, and Secretary James Baker, who were all notably and vocally anti-Israel, Israel has always worked hand in hand with America and American interests. Especially with the Trump administration, it is very doubtful that Israel would do this deal sub-rosa and then just 'notify' the U.S. after the fact. This would not be characteristic of how Israel usually conducts foreign policy vis-a'-vis America.

Also, China has sold arms to Syria including advanced shore to ship missiles as well as other advanced systems. China has some support ties to Hamas, Hezbollah, and the PLO. These ties may be only perfunctory but still they are enough to give pause. And China's attempted takeover of parts of Africa has brought them into conflict and competition with some Israeli interests there.

This 'deal', if it is real, is likely much larger and more globally elaborate than what is being reported. And, it is very unlikely that Israel would act against the interests of the Trump administration and America. We are only able to see the tip of the iceberg. No doubt there is much below the surface that we simply do not know.