{"id":120834,"date":"2023-11-01T21:49:44","date_gmt":"2023-11-01T21:49:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cottontailsonline.com\/?p=120834"},"modified":"2023-11-01T21:49:44","modified_gmt":"2023-11-01T21:49:44","slug":"china-could-be-unlikely-peacemaker-in-israel-hamas-war","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cottontailsonline.com\/world-news\/china-could-be-unlikely-peacemaker-in-israel-hamas-war\/","title":{"rendered":"China could be unlikely peacemaker in Israel-Hamas war"},"content":{"rendered":"

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China could play the role of peacemaker in the latest conflict between Israel and Hamas.<\/p>\n

Beijing angered Tel Aviv in the immediate aftermath of the bloody attack by Hamas gunmen on October 7, but it has been tipped as a possible broker of peace between both sides of the bitter conflict.<\/p>\n

While the US and Britain asserted Israel’s right to self-defence, China called on both sides to exercise restraint and immediately end the hostilities.<\/p>\n

It said establishing an independent state of Palestine was the fundamental way to resolve the issue.<\/p>\n

An article published last week in People’s Daily, the Chinese Communist Party’s official newspaper, repeated Beijing’s call for restraint, a ceasefire and dialogue.<\/p>\n

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The op-ed read: “If the current fighting in Gaza is allowed to drag on, the end result will not be a complete military victory for any side, but a wider humanitarian disaster and a more serious crisis. Each party should act responsibly for peace and lives.”<\/p>\n

It pointed out the United Nations, and in particular the UN Security Council, must shoulder its responsibility, focus on humanitarian concerns, call for practical measures to a ceasefire, an end to violence, protection of civilians and the formation of a binding, international consensus.<\/p>\n

The Chinese Foreign Ministry’s official response led Senate Majority Leader, Chuck Shumer, to tell China’s Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, the statement failed to show any sympathy or support for Israel.<\/p>\n

While China has traditionally backed the Palestinian cause, it has been boosting ties with Israel as it seeks a greater role in trade, technology and diplomacy.<\/p>\n

In recent years, Beijing has stepped up its involvement in the Middle East, helping restore ties between Saudi Arabia and Iran as well as welcoming Syrian President Bashar Assad on a visit to China.<\/p>\n

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Days after the attack, China’s Middle East envoy, Zhai Jun, travelled to the region to work towards a ceasefire and de-escalation of the conflict, which has claimed more than 8,000 lives in Gaza, according to the authorities.<\/p>\n

A total of 1,400 Israelis were killed in Hamas’s shock attack, which led Tel Aviv to lay siege to Gaza, launch airstrikes and a ground invasion in response.<\/p>\n

Mr Zhai visited a number of Arab countries, actively promoting ceasefire and a cessation of hostilities.<\/p>\n

China has long supported the Palestinians’ demand for an independent state, underlined recently by Mr Wang, who said: “Israel has the right to establish a state and so does Palestine.”<\/p>\n

He said the root cause of the conflict is the failure to create a Palestinian state.<\/p>\n