America and Israel followed China and started high-tech discussions

The United States and Israel began Wednesday a “strategic dialogue on high-level technology cooperation” that the Biden administration has called for, including Chinese investments in Israel’s technology sector and participation in research at Israeli universities.

Why is it important? The new platform aims to boost U.S.-Israeli civilian technology cooperation, which has dwindled in recent years, senior Israeli officials said.

• The conversation was planned on the Jerusalem Declaration that President Biden signed with Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid during his visit to Israel in July.
• Only India, Japan and South Korea have such dialogue with the United States.

Game Mode: The US has security and economic concerns about China’s involvement in Israel’s technology sector. The Trump administration has begun to press Israel on the issue, but the current prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has resisted any significant steps taken to strengthen economic ties with China.

• But with the Biden administration taking up the issue, the new Israeli government has begun to consider Chinese investments through a national security lens.

driving news; Wednesday’s first technology discussion was led by National Security Adviser Jack Sullivan and his Israeli counterpart Eyal Hulata. Israel’s Science Minister Orit Farkash-Hakon attended.

• The discussion focused on four areas: pandemic preparedness technology, climate technology, artificial intelligence and collaboration on the use of powerful quantum computers, something Israel has yet to achieve.

Between the lines; Under the agreement to set up the talks, Israel agreed to discuss “trusted technology ecosystems” – a code name from China.

• The agreement calls for countries to increase coordination on research security, investment screening and export controls, as well as technology investment and protection strategies for critical and emerging technologies.

What they say: In a briefing, Hulata said Israel shares US concerns about technology protection. “It’s not just an issue of export controls, it’s an issue of preventing misuse of technology by bad actors,” he said.

• Although Hulata did not mention China directly, he said the Biden administration’s concern about technology protection is an opportunity for Israel to strengthen its cooperation with the US government.
• A senior Israeli official said before the meeting that Israel wants to reach an understanding with the US on the China issue, without imposing restrictions that would severely hamper Israel’s technology sector.