Alishba Aslam
Since the 7th of October 2024, Israel has been enjoying full support from the US and most of the western countries, which fully endorse Israel’s right to defend itself against Hammas. In the name of “self-defense”, Israel has killed more than 38000 civilians mostly children and women with the backing of these western nations. The Arabs have largely distanced themselves from the Israel-Palestine Conflict, viewing the Plaestinians as terrorists, a stance that ultimately supports the western narrative of Israel’s’ self defense.
Under these circumstances, the world has been witnessing the brutal killings of human beings, including newly-born children, pregnant women, and individuals of special needs. Over the last 10 months, humanity has observed the worst humanitarian crisis and genocide being broadcasted live, all supported by western countries who always claimed to be the greatest proponents of human rights.
The United Nations, the International Court of Justice, the Criminal Court of Justice have all been watching this bloodshed and decrying the humanitarian crisis. Yet, none can stop Israel’s brutality against the Palestinian people. These events highlighted the miserable state of humanity under the current unipolar world order, where countries suffer in the absence of leadership that advocates for equal rights for all countries. This became more evident when the US vetoed the UN resolution in favor of Palestine and a ceasefire, which was passed with a large majority in the UN assembly.
In this dire situation, when there seemed no way to halt this bloodshed, China stepped forward to play its role in international matters. China invited the 14 factions of Palestine to have reconciliation talks to end divisions and strengthen palestinian unity. Notably, China facilitated an agreement between the two rival palestinian groups, the Hammas and the Fatah group, on “post war governance ” and recognizing “Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) as a legitimate representative” of all Palestinian people.
The major points from the agreement reported so far are:
1- PLO is recognized as the legitimate representative of all Palestinian people.
2- Hamas, Fateh and other Palestinian groups to form interim national reconciliation governments.
3- The government will focus on the post-war governance and reconstruction of Gaza and the strongest call is of a truly independent Palestinian state in accordance with the relevant United Nations resolutions.
4- The national unity government will manage the affairs of Palestinians in Gaza and the West bank, oversee the reconstruction and prepare conditions for elections.
Furthermore, the Chinese FM Wang Yi put forward a three step initiative to end the Israel-Gaza conflict,
1- Achievement of comprehensive and lasting ceasefire in Gaza strip, ensuring access to aid.
2- Implementation of Post war governance and reconstruction of Gaza under the principles of “Palestinians governing Palestine”.
3- Make Palestine a full UN member state and begin implementation of the two state solution.
One important aspect of these reconciliation talks is that the formation of a unity government, or even the sole PLO governance in Palestine, removes the basic hurdle in ceasefire negotiations.
Israel and its allies were unwilling to negotiate with Hammas, considering it a terrorist organization. The formation of a public governance through the reconciliation talks is a strategic move by China. It’s a Chinese gift to the Biden administration providing a way to convince Israel to accept the ceasefire deal. This development will also make Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Egypt to engage more actively in the Gaza-Israel conflict and will make space for them to play their impactful role.
The timing of these talks is also very significant, as the Biden Administration and US Congress continue to support Israel, inviting Netanyahu to address the US Congress. China’s invitation to Palestinian factions for reconciliation talks sends a message to the Palestinian community that they are not left behind and there are some countries that are making efforts for their future. It also signals that China will not allow Natanyahu and Bident to occupy Gaza, and that Gaza’s governance will remain in Palestinianian hands.
This agreement is a first step towards settling the matters, moving the conflict towards long term peace and ending the months old bloodshed.
The whole world, especially the Palestinians, are looking towards China as it takes a significant role in advocating Palestinian unity and rights. Mustafa Barghouti, the president of Palestinian National Initiative, stated that the Palestinian factions held the reconciliation talks in China because China is honest and actually wants to help us without interfering with our internal affairs. China plays a very important role not only in supporting the Palestinian Unity but also Palestinian rights”. There is a glimmer of hope that peace and stability may finally be within reach for the long-suffering people of Palestine. The coming months will reveal whether the initiative can bring an end to the relentless violence and pave a way for a just and lasting resolution. However the involvement of an emerging super power in this deadly conflict raises hopes among people.
Writer is Research Officer in Pakistan Institute of China Studies ,University of Sargodha