Mao Zedong, Israel and the road not taken – 50 years after leader’s death

The article commemorates 50 years since Mao Zedong's death, exploring China's relationship with Israel under his leadership. Initially, Israel was the first Middle Eastern country to recognize the People's Republic of China in 1950, with early discussions suggesting potential diplomatic ties and warm sentiments from Chinese officials towards Israel and the Jewish people. However, this trajectory shifted significantly, particularly after the 1955 Bandung Conference and the 1956 Suez Crisis, which saw China align more with anti-imperialist movements.

• By 1965, Mao Zedong was hosting PLO leaders in Beijing, providing them with arms and training.
• Mao famously stated, "Israel and Formosa (Taiwan) are bases of imperialism in Asia," viewing both as Western-backed outposts.
• A telling incident occurred in 1976 when China rejected an Israeli offer of aid after the Tangshan earthquake, citing a lack of diplomatic relations.

The article highlights Israel's "friendly American pressure" as a factor in its hesitation to formalize relations with China in the 1950s, ultimately leading to a missed opportunity for a different historical relationship.