Israel’s militarism foils any peace initiative
China better mediates between Israel, Palestine
By Ebrahim Behnam
Political analyst
The US secretary of state and the EU high representative for foreign affairs have embarked on new diplomatic efforts in the region, particularly focusing on the Gaza conflict. According to media reports, the US and Europe are concerned about the potential escalation of hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel. In your opinion, can Blinken and Borrell have a significant impact? Is the likelihood of an escalation of the conflict serious?
Yes, there is concern that Israel may intensify its attacks on Hezbollah, leading to a broader scope of the conflict. However, rather than being concerned about the expansion of the Gaza War, the US must focus on finding a solution to end the war and devise a plan for peace. The main problem is the lack of viable solutions to halt and conclude the conflict, an aspect that the US seems to overlook while primarily aiming to prevent the occurrence of a new war. The battleground, namely the Gaza Strip, despite its limited geographical extent, has repercussions that are felt in the entire Middle East, North Africa, and maybe even beyond. Therefore, the negotiations should prioritize finding a solution to cease the conflict.
The US continues to advocate for establishing two states of Palestine and Israel, a proposal rejected by Israel or at least its current cabinet. Do you think the US has the capability to persuade the Israeli regime to accept such a plan?
A significant challenge in this regard is that Washington itself is part of the crisis or part of the problem. In the past, we have witnessed peace proposals put forth by the US that were unfair and predominantly in favor of Israelis, resulting in no tangible outcomes. An effective mediator should be impartial, sincere, and trusted by both conflicting parties. However, because the US is not impartial and is itself a part of the Israel-Palestine crisis, it has so far been unsuccessful in establishing peace. In the recent Gaza conflict, too, the US vetoed proposed ceasefires and deployed its naval fleets to the Mediterranean, the Persian Gulf, and the Red Sea, giving Israel the green light to take any action against Palestinians.
Another point revolves around Israel. Israel’s aggressive policies obstruct any peace initiative, especially now that a hawkish cabinet led by Benjamin Netanyahu is in power there. Therefore, as long as one party continues its militaristic policy, chances for achieving diplomatic success remain elusive.
Israelis have believed in recent decades that increasing pressure on Palestinians would make them more inclined to accept conditions for peace, albeit a peace in favor of Israel. However, past experiences have invalidated this belief. Therefore, if a plan is to be proposed to end this crisis, it should also pressure Israel to abandon its military policies. The Gaza war experience tells us that proposed solutions regarding Palestine must be rational and mutually acceptable, rather than serving the interests of only one party.
Some experts believe that Israel is attempting to provoke Iran or Hezbollah and intensify the conflict to drag the US into the war. Do you think the US is currently prepared to enter a new war?
When countries perceive that their vital interests are at stake, they mobilize public resources to prevent such threats. They may even resort to war in such a context. However, the US is currently grappling with more significant challenges, such as the conflict in Ukraine, upcoming presidential elections, and most importantly, its traditional competition with China. Americans are well aware that engaging in a new war in West Asia would undoubtedly result in greater losses in other regions. Therefore, it is in their best interest to choose a path that leads to peace.
Some have suggested that China, in particular, should get involved and mediate between Israel and Palestine to end the Gaza conflict. China maintains good relations with Israel and is trusted more by Palestinians compared to the US. China, contrary to the US, maintains impartiality, and perhaps, could help untangle this decades-long conflict.