Israeli politicians and foreign policy analysts are becoming increasingly alarmed over China’s burgeoning ties with Iran, particularly after the signing of a 25-year Comprehensive Strategic Partnership agreement between Beijing and Tehran.

But Israel’s in a tough bind — on the one hand, it wants to do everything possible to weaken Iran, a government that Jerusalem has long seen as an existential threat. But the Israelis are also keen to foster closer ties with China (for both investment and trade) and are very careful not to do anything that would alienate Beijing.