The Limits of China's Sharp Power in Israel's Academic and Media Discourse

The term 'sharp power' has become a widely used concept in international relations to describe external influence targeting democracies. China employs sharp power statecraft to shape public perceptions in target countries, aiming to alter opinions and behaviour, undermine political systems and create a favourable consensus by manipulating information. This study explores the nature and impact of China's sharp power on the democratic resilience of Israeli society, particularly within academic and media discourse. The main argument is that China has attempted, albeit with limited success, to establish influence and shape public opinion in Israel through manipulation and censorship. However, these efforts have failed mainly due to the Israeli public's scepticism and growing awareness of China's broader geopolitical ambitions. Additionally, China's pro-Palestinian stance and its alignment with Iran and the 'axis of resistance' have further hindered its ability to gain support, as these positions conflict with Israel's core interests and values.