Senior representatives from Palestinian factions Hamas and Fatah signed a joint declaration in China’s capital Beijing aimed at building unity and ending the decades-long rift as the fighting with Israel in Gaza continues. The agreement, called the “Beijing Declaration to End the Division and Strengthen Palestinian National Unity”, was hailed as a breakthrough by China’s Foreign Minister, Wang Yi. This demonstrates China’s ambitions to be a significant diplomatic player in the Middle East and increase its global influence.
The declaration involves the formation of a temporary national unity government agreed upon by both factions to exercise power over all Palestinian territories and prepare for general elections. The signatories also agreed to resist the displacement of Palestinians in Gaza, the West Bank, and Jerusalem, and oppose settlement expansion. The implementation of the agreement on the ground is crucial for lasting unity.
China is positioning itself as a key player in post-war reconstruction and potential peace talks. The U.S. has proposed a plan for a permanent cease-fire in Gaza, but Israel has not presented a credible alternative for governance once the conflict ends. China’s involvement in hosting Palestinian unity talks is seen as a diplomatic step towards a potential international peace conference.
The deep-rooted divide between Fatah and Hamas has hindered previous unity attempts, but the Beijing Declaration aims to integrate Hamas under the PLO umbrella, making the PLO the sole legitimate representative of all Palestinian people. China’s involvement in mediating between factions could be a significant diplomatic win. As China aims to be a significant player in resolving the conflict, it seeks to have a prominent role in any future diplomatic efforts.
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