How the devastation of Gaza could hurt Israel and the US irreversibly

The conflict is the outgrowth of two historical tragedies. Both sides must be persuaded to acknowledge and accept each other’s right to exist
A ruthless demolition of Gaza has the potential to turn global opinion against Israel’s very existence and damage the US’ credibility irreparably

Peter T. C. Chang

Published: 7:30pm, 23 Nov 2023

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The trauma and devastation inflicted upon Gaza is likely to take generations to heal. But the widespread global sympathy for the plight of Palestinians might be doing greater, possibly irreversible, damage to the credibility of both Israel and the United States.

The September 11 attacks thrust the West into a confrontation with the Islamic world. When China re-emerged as a global player, attention shifted towards a perceived civilisational divide between the West and the Confucian East. Then came the October 7 attack on Israel, refocusing the “clash of civilisations” narrative on the West and the Islamic world.

As with the aftermath of September 11, Israel’s ferocious retaliation against Palestinians has ignited outrage across the Muslim world, fuelling mass protests. Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has emerged as a vocal advocate, championing a ceasefire and a peaceful resolution to the conflict.

During Chinese Vice-President Han Zheng’s visit to Malaysia in November, Anwar made a plea for China’s mediation in the Middle East. This resonates with the commitment made by Anwar and President Xi Jinping back in March to fostering mutual trust among cultures through Xi’s Global Civilisation Initiative.

Indeed, Xi is strategically positioning China as a proactive, bridge-building force in global affairs.

Earlier this year, Beijing brokered a historic rapprochement between Saudi Arabia and Iran, significantly elevating China’s stature in the Middle East. With the current war, Beijing signalled its readiness to mediate and called for a ceasefire. During an online summit of the Brics group – comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa – on Tuesday, Xi called again for a return to a two-state solution.

Without question, the two-state solution has become the normative approach to the conflict. The Oslo Accords and similar endeavours underscored the concerted efforts of Israel and Palestine towards a two-state resolution, which carried considerable risks for both sides.

Palestinian Authority president Yasser Arafat continually faced the spectre of violence, while Israeli prime minister Yitzhak Rabin paid the ultimate price, being assassinated in his pursuit of peace.

Despite these valiant efforts, Israel and Palestine failed to define the parameters of the two-state solution. Besides the contentious issue of illegal Israeli settlements in the West Bank, Palestinian refugees’ right of return also emerged as an obstacle to the establishment of a Palestinian state.

The collapse of the Oslo peace process, among other factors, exacerbated extremism on both sides – with Israel’s far right rejecting the notion of a Palestinian state, and radical groups in Palestine vowing to eradicate the state of Israel – and plunged the region into instability.

The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is the outgrowth of two historical tragedies. Modern Israel was established following the harrowing atrocities of the Holocaust. However, this redemptive act was built on the back of another tragic event – the Nakba, or violent displacement of the Palestinians.

This 20th century dual tragedy is also deeply rooted in religious animosity. A key conflict between Jews and Muslims revolves around control of Jerusalem. According to US evangelicals, for instance, the reconstruction of the temple in Jerusalem would hasten an apocalyptic battle where good will ultimately triumph over evil, leading to the second return of the Messiah.

These religion-inspired developments are a tragic regression, undoing the strides made in human history. The foundation of modern nation-states should hinge on the principle that arcane theological beliefs are set aside to preserve international peace and order.

Sadly, in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, universal values are being outweighed by deep-seated ethno-religious impulses, obstructing the path to coexistence.

The global community must pull Israel and Hamas back from the brink. Despite previous failures, the two-state solution remains the only viable option to address the current crisis. Both sides must be persuaded to acknowledge and accept each other’s right to exist.

This week, a delegation from Arab and Muslim-majority states visited Beijing on a peace mission. The Israel-Gaza conflict represents a crucial moment for Xi’s Global Civilisation Initiative.

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Beijing’s considerable influence must be tactfully used to prevent the conflict from spiralling into a regional war. To allay Israel’s concerns, China should use its leverage to urge countries such as Iran to concede Israel’s right to exist.

The Biden administration has also emphasised the necessity of the two-state solution as the sole viable option. However, uncertainty persists over whether the US possesses the sway or the will to convince Israel to coexist with Palestine.

US President Joe Biden arrives at St Joseph on the Brandywine Catholic Church to attend Mass, in Wilmington, Delaware, on November 18. Gaza and the West Bank should eventually be “reunited” under a new Palestinian Authority, Biden said in an opinion piece. Photo: AFP

Primarily, a substantial portion of the US body polity, particularly within the Republican Party, aligns closely with Israel’s far-right religious world view, advocating the perpetuation of a singular Jewish state. The Biden administration’s reluctance to pressure Israel into a ceasefire highlights a stark reality: the influence wielded by the American Israel Public Affairs Committee over the US political landscape.

The failure to enforce an immediate ceasefire stands as a colossal human tragedy: while the attack of October 7 was devastating, the continued destruction of Gaza is an even graver calamity. Israel’s relentless pursuit of Hamas’ destruction at any cost could mark a critical and perilous juncture in the conflict.

Beyond obliterating any lingering hopes of a two-state solution, a ruthless demolition of Gaza has the potential to turn global opinion against Israel’s very existence. Moreover, with its unflinching support of Israel, the US stands to suffer irreparable damage to its credibility on the world stage.

On Wednesday, in a significant development, the Israeli prime minister’s office announced a four-day ceasefire deal involving an exchange of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners. But the inhumane assault on Gaza must cease completely, not only for the sake of Palestinians but also for the future well-being of Israel and the international reputation of the US.

Peter T.C. Chang is a research associate at the Institute of China Studies, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia