China and Russia Support Palestinians in Israel-Hamas Crisis
China and Russia Stand with Palestinians Amid Israel-Hamas Crisis
Amidst the escalating Israel-Hamas crisis, China and Russia have found common ground in supporting the Palestinians, joining countries across the Middle East in expressing their anger. Both nations see this as an opportunity to enhance their global standing by championing the developing world, in contrast to the United States’ unwavering support for Israel.
China’s Growing Criticism of Israel
While China has consistently called for restraint and a ceasefire, it has also intensified its criticism of Israel’s actions. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi stated that Israel’s actions have exceeded the limits of self-defense and urged them to halt their “collective punishment” of Gaza residents.
Russia’s Sympathy for Palestinians
Russia, on the other hand, expressed sympathy for the Palestinians and criticized the United States for its policy failure in the Middle East. Russian President Vladimir Putin highlighted that the current crisis showcases the United States’ inability to effectively navigate the region.
China and Russia’s Geopolitical Ambitions
Both China and Russia aim to strengthen their ties with the global south, seeking economic opportunities and counterbalancing the diplomatic influence of the United States and its allies. This was evident as China hosted a summit for President Xi Jinping’s Belt and Road Initiative, focusing on infrastructure projects across the Middle East, Africa, Latin America, and Asia. President Putin attended the summit, engaging in extensive discussions with President Xi, including their perspectives on the Palestinian-Israeli situation.
An Emphasis on the Role of the United States
Experts suggest that China and Russia view the crisis through the lens of the United States’ influence rather than solely focusing on Palestine or Israel. They perceive the United States’ ability to rally global support as unfavorable for their own interests, while its isolation benefits their geopolitical ambitions.
Shared Support for Palestine
Although Russia and China have some differences in their Middle East strategies, they share a history of supporting the Palestinians. Both nations criticize the United States for marginalizing the Palestinian cause and emphasize the negative role of the U.S. in the conflict.
Seeking Allies and Shaping Narratives
For Russia, aligning with the Palestinian cause helps counter U.S. efforts to rally the global south in support of Ukraine. Meanwhile, China aims to build resistance to U.S. initiatives by portraying itself as a global south advocate and diminishing international support for Israel.
China’s Balanced Approach
China strives to maintain an even-handed approach between the Palestinians and Israel. However, if Israel, with U.S. support, escalates the scale and scope of the conflict, causing more humanitarian casualties, China is likely to tilt in favor of the Palestinians.
In conclusion, China and Russia have seized the Israel-Hamas crisis as an opportunity to strengthen their global positions by supporting the Palestinians and challenging the United States’ influence in the Middle East.
