Could Russia and China benefit from an Israel-Hamas war?
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The war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza is showing no sign of stopping, in such a situation the question is also being raised as to what stand the big powers can take. While most Western countries are united in supporting Israel’s right to self-defense, China and Russia are busy with their calculations. Along with the broader ‘Global South’, China and Russia have not hesitated to criticize Israel’s military response in Gaza and its impact on Palestinian civilians. It would be a matter to think whether Russia and China benefit from the fight between Israel and Hamas. Western countries may consider the stance of Russia and China as opportunistic and their opposition to the Western countries is for strategic gains.
However, the opinions of the ‘Global South’ may still be influential. The term ‘Global South’, which emerged in the 1960s, generally refers to the regions of Latin America, Asia, Africa and Oceania. In particular, this means countries outside Europe and North America, in the Southern Hemisphere and the equatorial region, which are mostly low-income and politically backward. However, Russia and China will have to ensure that they do not find themselves in a similar position to the West by facing criticism for their conflicting stances on the Ukraine and Gaza crises. To portray themselves as great powers and win the support of the Global South, they must bridge the gap between their words and actions to protect civilians and uphold legal and humanitarian obligations, as the recent United Nations Is expressed in the resolution of the nation. Both Russia and China have supported this proposal.
After the horrific attack by Hamas on Israel on October 7, the division among the countries of the world regarding Gaza has deepened. Hamas entered Israeli territory on October 7, killing a large number of people and taking more than 200 people hostage. Israel’s ruling establishment was stunned by this violence. The international community was also stunned. Many Western countries supported Israel. Israel’s response displaced more than one million civilians from Gaza, cordoning off the area and cutting off electricity, water supplies, and humanitarian aid. Russia and China tried to balance their statements, which included criticism of Israel’s response. Following the war between Israel and Hamas, the UN Security Council struggled to reach a consensus to stop the fighting.
Four attempts to draft resolutions failed due to vetoes by the US on one side and Russia and sometimes China on the other. Most of the proposed resolutions condemned attacks on civilians. American objections included lack of recognition of Israel’s right to self-defense. In contrast, neither Russia nor China objected to the lack of a call for a ceasefire in the draft resolutions. He has also differed from the West in not openly criticizing Hamas. A Hamas delegation also visited Moscow to discuss prospects for a ceasefire and resolution of the hostage situation. Both countries have developed diplomatic and economic ties with Israel in recent decades.
From Chinese investments in Israel to Russian and Israeli coordination during the Syrian civil war, they are mindful of public opinion in the Arab world, which has been critical of Israel’s military response. The anger over Israel’s actions is so high that even the governments of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are feeling the need to publicly distance themselves from Israel. While the United Arab Emirates, which is somewhat soft on Hamas, had normalized relations with Israel, Saudi Arabia was in the process of doing so. But now both have changed their stance. However, the position of Russia and China has also reflected the broader global sentiment.
In the absence of a UN Security Council resolution, the General Assembly, represented by all member states, successfully passed a non-binding resolution calling for a humanitarian ceasefire on 27 October. The resolution condemned attacks on civilians and called for the protection of civilians and upholding legal and humanitarian obligations. 120 member states, including Russia and China, most of the Arab world and the Global South, voted in favor of the resolution, while 14 countries, including the US, voted against and 45 countries, including Australia, abstained. America protested that there was no clear mention of Hamas in the resolution. Russia’s stance may also be influenced by its war in Ukraine. After attacking Ukraine in February 2022, Russia has occupied some parts of it.
Russia may hope that the Israel-Hamas conflict may divert Western attention from Ukraine and may lead to a halt in arms supplies and other practical assistance to it (Ukraine). The stances of Russia and China regarding the Israel–Hamas war have so far been in line with those of the broader Global South. The situation is such that in the last few weeks, distrust towards Russia and China has increased within the Israeli political establishment. Israel has never considered Russia and China to be equal allies or offer comparable assistance to the US, hence the delay in their statements on the October 7 attack and their criticism of Israel’s military response. Results can be found.
Disclaimer: IndiaTheNews has not edited this news. This news has been published from PTI-language feed.
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