A roadmap for Israel’s Indo-Pacific engagement

While global attention is focused on the potential for ending the Gaza war, there’s a refreshingly serious conversation now opening up about the possibility for Israel’s engagement in the broader Indo-Pacific. Last month Israel’s deputy foreign minister Sharren Haskel visited PNG and Fiji, sending a strong message about Israel’s commitment to strengthening ties. Both island states have recently established embassies in Jerusalem.

There are increased discussions focused on Israel deepening collaboration with the islands in water management, agricultural innovation, public health, renewable energy and technological development. Fiji just signed an MoU with Israel addressing cyber threats. “It was really incredible seeing all the love and support that we are receiving from these countries, not just from the government level but also from the people-to-people level,” Haskel said.

Fiji has a long tradition of sending peacekeepers across the Middle East. Fiji, PNG and Tonga with their armed forces could contribute to an Oceania contingent, along with Australia, to the International Stabilisation Force in Gaza.

Israel could have a big role in advancing ocean technology and development, the so-called blue economy in the Indo-Pacific. The Israeli government earmarked ocean technology as a priority for research and development in September 2022. Opportunity exists to work with partners such as the UAE, Japan and Singapore to support the blue economy from the Pacific Islands to the Indian Ocean. India is encouraging other countries to join the Indo-Pacific Ocean Initiative (IPOI) to enhance regional maritime security. There’s a work pillar on trade, connectivity and transport led by Japan that Israel could contribute to.

Another area where Israel could play a role is enhancing the security of the digital arteries of the Indo-Pacific, submarine cables. The Blue Cable System connects Italy, Greece and Israel. The Raman Cable System connects Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Oman and India. 
The India-ME-Europe corridor is strategically important to the US. President Donald Trump said it was “one of the greatest trade routes in all of history. It will run from India to Israel to Italy and onward to the US, connecting our partners, roads, railways and undersea cables, many, many, undersea cables.” Israel should support efforts to reinforce submarine cable resilience, centred on actions ranging from increased cooperation to technical advancements.

Given Israel’s tech strengths it can advance tech (cyber, AI) links with the US, Japan, Australia, South Korea and Singapore, with coordination and infrastructure based in Japan or Australia.

With superpower competition increasingly focused on technology, Australia needs to up its innovation game and increase its technological competitiveness. Israel can prove a valuable ally in this sphere.

Israel is strong in biotech. Australia, along with other Indo-Pacific states, has a strong research capability here and a strong capability in drug and treatment trials. There’s even an AUKUS linkage: we should position Israel’s niche tech capabilities as indirectly supportive to Australia’s emerging AUKUS ecosystem.

Israel should push for greater partnerships with Indonesia and India. With Indonesia, Israel should leverage the legacy of former Indonesian president Abdurrahman Wahid (Gus Dur). He wanted to open diplomatic and trade relations with Israel. With other senior Indonesians he wanted to undermine Islamist extremists. He wanted to promote a Palestinian culture and leadership conducive to a negotiated genuinely peaceful two-state outcome and build support for it in forums such as the G20.

President Prabowo Subianto in May this year said: “Once Palestine gains Israeli recognition, Indonesia will be ready to open diplomatic relations with Israel.” Indonesia could possibly join the Abraham Accords. The Indonesian President attended the recent Egypt peace summit. Trump singled out Indonesia for thanks in helping secure the Gaza ceasefire.

Prabowo said Indonesia would be prepared to send 20,000 or more troops to a post-war peacekeeping mission in Gaza. In August, Australia and Indonesia announced that we would work together to help the Palestinian Authority make good on its promise to reform.

There’s also quite a bit of potential for strategic collaboration with India. India has had a growing military relationship with Israel. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has repeatedly supported Israel internationally, particularly in the counter-terrorism domain. India, Israel and Australia could participate in trilateral counter-terrorism exercises that would reassure the Indians that Australia continues to value Delhi’s contribution to the so-called Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) including in the military field.

The countries of the Indo-Pacific should increase direct engagement with Israel despite any political disagreements they may have.

Israel can contribute to a freer, more connected Indo-Pacific and, in doing so, strengthen ties with the countries of our region, including Australia.

Dr Anthony Bergin is a senior fellow at Strategic Analysis Australia. This is a summary of his remarks at the Australia-Israel Strategic Dialogue last month in Tel Aviv. His participation was supported by the Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Council (AIJAC).