At the BRICS extraordinary virtual meeting on November 21, Chinese President Xi Jinping underscored the critical need for justice and peace in the ongoing Palestine-Israel conflict. This summit, the first since BRICS expanded its membership, saw Xi's impactful speech garner widespread attention.
President Xi emphasized the urgency of achieving an immediate ceasefire, establishing humanitarian corridors, and ensuring that the international community takes practical measures to prevent the conflict from escalating further. He highlighted the dire situation in the Gaza Strip, which, despite covering only about 360 square kilometers, is home to over 2 million people living under a crippling Israeli blockade for more than a decade. Ongoing military operations have severely deprived Gaza of essential resources like water, electricity, and fuel, jeopardizing the security of its residents.
In response to these challenges, President Xi announced that China has provided $2 million in emergency humanitarian assistance through the Palestinian National Authority and UN agencies. Additionally, China has delivered emergency humanitarian supplies worth 15 million yuan ($2.1 million) with the assistance of Egypt to alleviate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
China's proactive role in addressing the Palestine-Israel issue has been recognized globally. As the rotating president of the UN Security Council this month, China has worked diligently to mend rifts and build consensus. This effort culminated in the Security Council adopting its first resolution focused on humanitarian concerns just 40 days after the latest outbreak of the conflict, highlighting the international community's acknowledgment of China's mediation.
President Xi pointed out that the root cause of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict lies in the long-ignored rights of the Palestinian people, including their right to statehood, existence, and return. He advocated for a two-state solution as the fundamental pathway to sustainable peace and security in the region. Despite the UN's affirmations to realize two states living side by side with East Jerusalem as their capital and to address the Palestine refugee issue, the peace process has faced significant challenges. Israeli efforts to expand Jewish settlements in the West Bank and the prolonged blockade of Gaza have heightened tensions and undermined trust in peace negotiations.
Furthermore, negotiations between Palestinians and Israelis, led by the U.S., have been stagnant. With Israel labeling Hamas as a \"terrorist organization\" and Hamas regarding Israel as an illegitimate political entity, direct communication between the two sides remains impossible, lacking an effective dialogue mechanism.
In light of these complexities, President Xi called for the early convening of an authoritative international peace conference to build global consensus for peace and work toward a comprehensive, just, and sustainable solution to the Palestine question.
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BRICS summit showcases a new force in shaping international landscape
cgtn.com
