Israel Restricts Airport Tender to NATO Members, and in the Process Cuts Out China

A tender for a new international airport in Israel has reportedly excluded China.

The tender, which has yet to be publicized, would just permit NATO members to bid for the $40 million project. Additionally, reports indicate that Turkey, also a NATO member, may be blocked due to security concerns.

The move by Israel comes amid growing international concern over Chinese involvement in construction projects and the fallout from its trade war with the United States.

China, which has forged closed trading ties with Israel in recent years, has invested in several large-profile projects in the Jewish state, including an agreement to manage the Haifa port, the country’s largest, which has faced pushback from the United States and within Israel.