Israel inaugurates Chinese-run Haifa port terminal, in likely boost for economy

[Right_in_Virginia]

Israel inaugurates Chinese-run Haifa port terminal, in likely boost for economy
Times of Israel, Sep 2, 2021

Israel on Wednesday officially inaugurated a new port terminal in Haifa Bay, the first of two recently built private port terminals that are expected to fuel competition, decrease import costs, and present a boon for the Israeli economy. Almost all of Israel’s international trade is handled via maritime routes and the Haifa port is the busiest shipping hub in the country, managing approximately half of all freight.

China’s state-owned Shanghai International Port Group (SIPG) won the tender in 2015 to operate the commercial shipping facility for 25 years, an arrangement that stoked controversy in Israel and abroad. The project’s proximity to Israel’s submarines, among other issues, raised security concerns, especially after reports revealed that neither the cabinet nor the National Security Council had any input on the deal. The project also raised the ire of the US, which sometimes docks military vessels in Haifa.

The new Haifa terminal, built by two Israeli companies, will allow large shipping vessels of about 400 meters long carrying some 18,000 containers each to dock in Israel, the Transportation Ministry said in a statement on Wednesday, and will provide unloading and loading services, shortening their times.


https://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-inaugurates-new-haifa-port-terminal-in-expected-boost-for-economy/

[Right_in_Virginia]

Chinese investment in Haifa port could compromise US-Israel intelligence sharing: Report
Middle East Eye, Feb 1, 2021

<snip>

The most pressing point for the report’ authors - former US Chief of Naval Operations Jonathan Greenert and former Commander of the US 7th Fleet John Bird - is China’s investment in Israel's Port of Haifa on the Mediterranean Sea.

In June 2019, the Israeli city of Haifa defied US pressure and signed a 25-year contract with Chinese company Shanghai International Port Group (SIPG) to build and operate a large shipping seaport on the Mediterranean. Set to begin operations in 2021, Israel recouped $290m for its privatisation.

US authorities have expressed concerns that the Chinese company would be operating close to where US Sixth Fleet ships dock and could potentially collect intelligence, but the contract moved forward anyway.

According to the report by the pro-Israel think tank, China is aiming to fuel and expand its own military and industrial influence by buying and investing in Israeli technology.

"Beijing’s strategy seeks to turn economic power into geopolitical dominance and civilian technology into a military advantage," the two admirals wrote.

"Given Israel’s valuable civil IP and transportation facilities, it is a tempting target for Chinese economic penetration and one target that Beijing is already seeking to exploit... Israeli technology stolen or acquired by China today could be sold for pennies tomorrow, depriving Israeli companies of profits," the report added.


More:  https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/israel-us-china-investment-intelligence-compromise-haifa-port

[Kamaji]

Big mistake.

[libertybele]

Chinese investment in Haifa port could compromise US-Israel intelligence sharing: Report
Middle East Eye, Feb 1, 2021

<snip>

The most pressing point for the report’ authors - former US Chief of Naval Operations Jonathan Greenert and former Commander of the US 7th Fleet John Bird - is China’s investment in Israel's Port of Haifa on the Mediterranean Sea.

In June 2019, the Israeli city of Haifa defied US pressure and signed a 25-year contract with Chinese company Shanghai International Port Group (SIPG) to build and operate a large shipping seaport on the Mediterranean. Set to begin operations in 2021, Israel recouped $290m for its privatisation.

US authorities have expressed concerns that the Chinese company would be operating close to where US Sixth Fleet ships dock and could potentially collect intelligence, but the contract moved forward anyway.

According to the report by the pro-Israel think tank, China is aiming to fuel and expand its own military and industrial influence by buying and investing in Israeli technology.

"Beijing’s strategy seeks to turn economic power into geopolitical dominance and civilian technology into a military advantage," the two admirals wrote.

"Given Israel’s valuable civil IP and transportation facilities, it is a tempting target for Chinese economic penetration and one target that Beijing is already seeking to exploit... Israeli technology stolen or acquired by China today could be sold for pennies tomorrow, depriving Israeli companies of profits," the report added.


More:  https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/israel-us-china-investment-intelligence-compromise-haifa-port

I thought the Israeli's may have learned from the U.S. who is now owned by China.

[Right_in_Virginia]

Israel Rejects US Plan To Inspect Chinese Harbor At Haifa
Breaking Defense, Feb 3, 2021

https://breakingdefense.com/2021/02/israel-rejects-us-plan-to-inspect-chinese-harbor-at-haifa/

[Right_in_Virginia]

https://mobile.twitter.com/disclosetv/status/1433429600986558472

[Right_in_Virginia]

https://mobile.twitter.com/JackPosobiec/status/1433473181088686085

[Right_in_Virginia]

https://mobile.twitter.com/disclosetv/status/1433446457491742724

[Right_in_Virginia]

I thought the Israeli's may have learned from the U.S. who is now owned by China.

President Trump was really concerened about this .....he even fought very hard to conduct inspections of the port to catch any spying on the US fleet.

Israel told us no.