Another strengthening demonstration of closer academic ties between China and Israel, dozens of Chinese students recently marked the end of the largest-ever extracurricular academic trip to Israel.

The programme, intended for students from China, is run by non-profit organisation Im Tirtzu (IMTI). They work to nurture the values of Zionism, encouraging sentiment of Israel as a Jewish and democratic state. IMTI are regarded as one of the country’s largest, most influential grassroots Zionist organisations. It consists of tours and lectures in Chinese and English, the aims of which being to help the visiting students become “ambassadors for Israel” upon their return to China.

Now finishing its second year at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, the programme has already brought dozens of Chinese students around the country to places like Hebron, Jerusalem, Sderot, Samaria, Gush Etzion, and the Negev Desert.

According to IMTI, ensuring that these students learn the truth about Israel, and can effectively advocate on behalf of the country whilst in China, is invaluable to it.

Dov Trachtman, who oversees the project for IMTI, said that more and more Chinese students are requesting to join the programme. “The students have a tremendous desire to learn more about Israel and see it firsthand,” said Trachtman. “The students especially want to visit Judea, Samaria, and the Gaza periphery, which are integral parts of the Land of Israel that, if not for our programme, they would not have had the opportunity to see.”