Taking a break from the diplomatic tensions between Jerusalem and Washington, Israeli leaders are traveling to China to address more pressing issues, the progressing Iranian nuclear program. China remains at the core of the delays, unwilling to approve crippling sanctions against Iran, and as a permanent member of the Security Council, Beijing is preventing the move which many see as a last hope of preventing a military strike against Iran.

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman left for China, requesting to meet with high-level state leaders. Upon their departure, the meetings requested were unconfirmed. About two weeks ago, Vice Premier Moshe Ya’alon visited China, for the same purpose, with Israel aware China’s vote in favor of the sanctions is critical.

On Tuesday, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Danny Ayalon met with China’s ambassador to Israel, who made his country’s position clear, adamant opposition to the proposed crippling economic sanctions. While Beijing maintains it opposes a nuclear Iran, it maintains interests in Iran including oil and investments, so it is not about to reverse its decision regarding sanctions.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)