Wise man not put all his eggs in one basket ...

Yes: America knows how to build railways. Our own railroads were built by.. Chinese Labor, in the late 19th Century!

If any country through its expertise manufactures an item, provides a service not of a security issue, and has the proven track record of completing a project on time and on budget, then why not China? This project is a railway and port infrastructure which when completed will be run and owned by the Israelis. Chinese involvement will then cease. Where is the security issue? If the US, France, Germany could offer the same guarantees then the Israelis I am sure would consider them but where was the rush to beat down the doors to participate; not even a peep. Further more unfortunately it behooves Israel to take care of its own interests as judging by Obama's recent standard of competence then Israel should definitely explore all avenues for its own benefit and security.

Have you seen the awful state of US railway infrastructure plus they went to France for advice on High Speed trains. The US still does not perceive that railways will replace the airlines that crisscross their vast country. Admittedly a few prestige projects are being considered but as yet nothing has come to completion.

I hope this courtship with china is a bargaining ploy vis a vis the U.S. rather than a serious negotiation. While I dont see china having much leverage with a threat to close their operation once its operational( Israel is capable of operating anything the chinese can), it is foolish and dangerous to give the chinese proximity to Israel's high tech, and military. They are not above spying for their iranian friends. I hope this flirtation with china is just a ploy to influence American relations with iran and policy in general.

If Israel can survive without it so be it better not. There is other way of good diplomatic measure. Security is top priority for Israel! Another access into Israel is another opportunity for haters to slip in. God bless Israel

1. in intra-country relations as in inter-person relations.... the party who displays that he has no options.... will get taken advantage of endlessly. 2. china holds many, many, many strong cards in its relation with USA. It is NOT certain that USA is better positioned to punish us for dealing with China.... than china is to punish us for boycotting it at USA's request 3. Obama has a lot of discretionary power, but not an infinite amount. He can only go so far in punishing Israel before bumping into opposition at home. the House of Representatives can defund the White House as a US Navy unit-identification-code (that's what it legally is) at will. And there's not many Jewish Democrats willing to be Court Jews without a salary. Is there, Mr Ambassador Shapiro?

...what a waste of money, he does so for free too! Really wants to make us believe that if the Chinese are subcontracted to build (the internationally totally unimportant) 200 km of railways from Beer Sheva to Eilat will impact on "our strategic relationship with the US"? Halevy was incompetent as a Mossad chief and turned pathetic as a has-been eager for limelight.

risks and all. So far so good. Only China is in the forefront down the line. Obama/US are being shunted aside.

unwise thinking lately, so I guess this is another gem of his productive mind? Not worth dissecting, really. He's got his reasons, we've got ours!

The Chinese regime isn't honest and they just want to control Israel and other countries. They violate every basic right of their own people. Anyone believe they will respect Israeli side rights? Also don't forget they harvest organs of Falun Gong practitioners. Its all the same people , the same regime and they same brutal and violent approach of Communist regime.

The American taxpayer will not stand for their money being used to create Chinese jobs to the detriment of American jobs. Don't you watch American news programmes?