Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu is scheduled to make an official state visit to China next month. The last official visit by a prime minister of Israel was Ehud Olmert, back in 2007. Mr. Netanyahu tried to make the visit during his previous term but he failed to achieve his goal for a number of reasons, including a lack of enthusiasm on the part of the Chinese, with the latter unwilling to host him while the political process between Israel and the PA (Palestinian Authority) was frozen.

There was a scheduled visit in September 2011, which Mr. Netanyahu had to cancel to attend a summit upon invitation from US President Barak Obama, who also invited PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen). A visit set for last year marking 20 years of diplomatic relations with Israel was canceled due to internal political issues in China.

With the changing of governments in both nations, the Chinese feel the timing is right as Israel signals it will be moving ahead in the diplomatic process with the PA. Yediot Achronot reports the visit will focus on improved economic relations between Israel and China and the Iranian threat faced by Israel.

While the prime minister has urged his ministers to curtail travel abroad as much as possible, he feels India and China are exceptions and the administration places improved relations with those countries high on its agenda.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)