Peace in Gaza benefits all, expert says

Only truce can prevent conflict from spiraling out of control: Chinese envoy

In addition to different views and positions on the Israel-Hamas conflict, the United States and China also have overlapping interests on the Palestinian-Israeli issue, according to a US foreign policy expert.

Jack Midgley, the principal of global consultancy Midgley & Co, discussed three aspects of "common interest" and one advantage of US-China cooperation in dealing with issues.

In an interview with China Daily, he said that first, both the US and China have economic and political interests in the survival of Israel.

On the one hand, Israel is important to US security.

On the other hand, as part of the Belt and Road Initiative, a massive China-led infrastructure and trade corridor project that aims to build connectivity and cooperation around the globe, Israel is important to China, which has contributed to the development of the Israeli economy and invested in its infrastructure and industry.

"So, the continued survival of Israel is in the interest of both countries," Midgley said.

Second, stable, peaceful relations with the Arab world are "in the national interest of both China and the United States", he said. Neither the US nor China will benefit if the Arab world goes to war with Israel or if there is political and economic turmoil in that region.

Third, both countries have a strong interest in controlling the spread of international extremism and terrorism. Neither the US nor China will tolerate political, religious or social terrorism.

"So, in at least those three areas, China and the United States have strong mutual interests," Midgley said.

"It means that the combination of China and the United States can speak to both sides," he said. "And if China and the United States are able to collaborate actively in advocating for a solution in Gaza, there is a good chance that progress will be made."

On Nov 30, China released an official proposal titled "The Position Paper of the People's Republic of China on Resolving the Palestinian-Israeli Conflict" and called for a comprehensive cease-fire and ending the fighting; protecting civilians effectively; ensuring humanitarian assistance; enhancing diplomatic mediation; and seeking political settlement.

"The Chinese position paper that came out on Nov 30 basically reminds everyone that there is international law that applies here, and that the United Nations should be the place where these kinds of issues are resolved," said Midgley, adding that China's position paper emphasized "the importance of international mechanisms and international law to resolve the conflict".

The point is that "we should enforce as a global community the actions and principles that we've already agreed on".

Critical priority

A Chinese UN envoy said on Tuesday that achieving a cease-fire in Gaza is currently the most critical priority.

"First, the realization of a ceasefire remains the overriding prerequisite. Only a cease-fire can prevent greater civilian casualties, including those of hostages. Only a cease-fire can prevent the regional conflict from spiraling out of control. And only a cease-fire can prevent the prospects of a political solution from being completely killed," China's permanent representative to the United Nations, Zhang Jun, told the Security Council briefing on the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question.

However, Midgley said the conflict will continue in the short term because "the United States is going to continue now to pour weapons, ammunition and military support into Israel to facilitate the physical destruction of Gaza".

Midgley said the US Navy operates two huge hospital ships, Comfort and Mercy. "That's a very clear signal about priority, and no one can be confused about where the Americans are with respect to military operations in Gaza," he said.

On why the US backs Israel, aside from domestic politics, Midgley said there are also economic reasons, one of which is the Gaza natural gas field.

Rich natural gas reserves were discovered near the Gaza coastline in 2000, and part of that oilfield is in Israeli waters, while part of it is off Gaza.

According to Midgley's analysis, all the revenue associated with the Gaza natural gas field, $800 million to $1 billion a year, will go to whoever governs Gaza, and no Israeli government would accept that revenue flowing to Hamas.

A recent cease-fire between Israel and Hamas, initially lasting four days and gradually extended to a week, concluded on Dec 1. Israel subsequently restarted its attack and resumed the two-month conflict that has resulted in extensive damage to Gaza and Hamas.

On Wednesday, the head of Hamas was due in Egypt for talks on a fresh cease-fire in Gaza, after Israel said it was willing to agree to another pause in exchange for more hostages. International pressure is mounting for a new truce that could ramp up aid to the besieged Palestinian territory, with the United Nations due to vote Wednesday on calling for a cease-fire.

Agencies and Xinhua contributed to this story.