Chinese President Xi Jinping participated in the BRICS extraordinary virtual summit on the Palestinian-Israeli issue on Tuesday, marking the first gathering since the group’s expansion in August. Xi emphasized the urgent need for a ceasefire and outlined imperatives, including ending hostilities, stopping violence against civilians, and ensuring humanitarian corridors. The international community was urged to take practical measures to prevent the conflict from destabilizing the Middle East.
BRICS countries, representing the Global South, presented a collective voice on the Palestine issue, differing significantly from the stance of the US and the West. As the US faced criticism for not pushing Israel for a ceasefire, BRICS emerged as a platform amplifying developing countries’ voices and contributing to diplomatic solutions.
While acknowledging that a single summit might not directly resolve the conflict, experts highlighted the significance of developing countries presenting a unified voice. The “BRICS voice” aligns on the principles of justice, support for Palestinians, and condemnation of Israel’s actions.
President Xi reiterated the importance of the two-state solution, emphasizing that the root cause of the Palestinian-Israeli situation lies in the long-standing neglect of Palestinian rights. He stressed that sustainable peace in the Middle East requires addressing the question of Palestine justly.
The summit, chaired by South Africa, welcomed leaders from new BRICS members, including Saudi Arabia, Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates. Russian President Vladimir Putin advocated for a political solution to the conflict, blaming the failure of US diplomacy for the crisis.
Wang Youming, director of the Institute of Developing Countries at the China Institute of International Studies, emphasized the need for a distinct BRICS voice on the Middle East issue, considering the failure of US diplomacy.
China’s role in the summit and its recent hosting of an Arab-Islamic foreign ministers’ delegation demonstrated its commitment to peace. China called for the early convening of an authoritative international peace conference and provided humanitarian assistance to alleviate the crisis in Gaza. The trust between China and Arab nations reflects China’s impartial stance and commitment to justice.
As the US faced criticism for not pressuring Israel to cease fire, China’s role in the BRICS mechanism gained significance. China’s non-interference approach and commitment to justice positioned it as a potential mediator to de-escalate the conflict and contribute to a peaceful resolution.
The BRICS summit is expected to provide a platform for basic consensus on peaceful resolutions, with the UN anticipating a greater role for BRICS in de-escalating the situation and pushing for a ceasefire.