As support for ‘two-state solution’ grows, what role will China play in Israeli-Palestinian peace process?
- Beijing is long-time proponent of plan for independent Palestine to coexist with Israel – an idea that has seen renewed enthusiasm in the West
- While China’s influence is rising in Middle East, analysts are divided on whether it has leverage to become key player in peace process alongside US
Chinese President Xi Jinping said last month that a “two-state solution” was the fundamental way out from “the cycle of conflicts” between Israel and Palestinians.
Diplomatic observers said the renewed support for a two-state solution showed that attempts to maintain the status quo in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict had fallen apart. But they said it was not yet clear whether Beijing – a rising power broker in the Middle East and a long-time proponent of a two-state solution – could play a central role in the peace process.
John Calabrese, a senior fellow at the Washington-based Middle East Institute and an associate professor at American University, said that a “two-state solution” appeared to be the “default option” for Israel and Palestine.