Why Israel’s Ties With Asia Matter More Than Ever | AJC

Across Asia, growing anti-Israel public sentiment is creating new challenges for Israel, making governments and institutions more cautious about publicly engaging with Israel—even when strong strategic and economic interests remain. Shira Loewenberg, Director of AJC’s Asia Pacific Institute, explains this emerging trend and how AJC is working to ensure political challenges do not erase decades of progress in Israel-Asia relations. Japan offers a powerful example. As a critical U.S. ally, G7 member, and increasingly important security player, Japan has important interests in Israel and the broader Middle East. AJC has spent more than 35 years strengthening this relationship, including through Project Interchange, which recently brought rising Japanese Foreign Ministry diplomats to Israel for firsthand exposure to the country’s security challenges, diversity, innovation, and opportunities for collaboration. By building trusted relationships and deeper understanding before crises arise, AJC is helping strengthen Israel’s partnerships across Asia for the long term.