THE news headline reads, “Hamas and Fatah sign agreement in Beijing ‘ending’ their division”. This is historic. It will end division and strengthening Palestinian unity among the 14 factions that has been long ignored by US, who at the same time came up with various accords for Middle East peace.

The PLO is a coalition of parties that signed a peace treaty with Israel in 1993 (Oslo Accord) and formed a new government in the Palestinian Authority (PA) and dominated by Fatah. Hamas was not party to the accords and does not recognise Israel. The PA governs parts of the West Bank and Hamas, Gaza.

Western media have questioned the extent of Beijing’s geopolitical clout as a peace broker where US is ‘dominant’ for so long. Need we say more? It was China who played a role brokering a rapprochement between longtime rivals Saudi Arabia and Iran in March.

The US State Department said it did not support Hamas having a role in the postwar governance of Gaza and believe the deal would have an impact on the ongoing discussions on ceasefire. It wants to see the Palestinian Authority governing “a unified Gaza and the West Bank” after the war because Hamas has “the blood of innocent civilians, both Israeli and Palestinian (about 1,100), on their hands.”

What about the around 39,000 Palestinians who perished in the conflict since October 7, 2023? It created a mass humanitarian crisis and genocide.

Israel doesn’t want Hamas in Gaza and has suggested in the face of opposition even from US that it intends to maintain control after the war. Israel’s comment – instead of rejecting terrorism, Mahmoud Abbas embraces the murderers and rapists of Hamas, revealing his true face. In reality, this won’t happen because Hamas’ rule will be crushed, and Abbas will be watching Gaza from afar. Israel’s security will remain solely in Israel’s hands.

Remember, Israel has been stepping up its attacks when ceasefire talk is advancing. It is to pressure its opponents and acted with impunity with the backing of the US in sending aid, weapons and bombs. The US government has remained uncompromising with its financial and moral support for Israel.

US has vetoed three United Nations Security Council resolutions that would have called for a ceasefire, giving various excuses.

If that is not enough, even Israeli settlers are attacking Palestinians. The latest is an attack on a group of Palestinian farmers and foreign activists accompanying them for protection in the West Bank. They were on their way to their olive fields, which they haven’t been able to access since October because of attacks by settlers.

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) have declared that Israel’s presence in the West Bank and East Jerusalem is illegal and called on Israel to end its occupation. It called on Israel to cease new settlement activity, evacuate settlers and make reparations for the damage caused.

Make a guess, will Israel take heed?

Now, the Israeli prime minister is in the US and has honoured him with an invitation to address Congress.

US Capitol police arrested Jewish activists calling for Israel arms embargo. The coordinated protest, led by Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP), took everybody by surprise as it came together within minutes. Law enforcement moved in quickly and discarded banners decrying the “genocide” in Gaza and arresting people.

What ever happened to freedom of speech and human rights and should Congress listen to the people or the Israeli prime minister?

Many of them are descendants who survived ethnic cleansing and genocide. They said, our ancestors and grandparents taught us that the worst thing to do in these moments is to be a bystander.

In May, Biden called for an end to the war but at the same time, pressed on with support for Israel as leaders pledge to continue to fight until “total victory”.

A rabbi and activist said US officials are paying “lip service” to the ceasefire and protesters are calling for an actual end to the war and an arms embargo against Israel. Israel has carried out a genocide, armed and funded by the US Congress.

Now, look at China. They are a geopolitical heavyweight with a different vision and approach for the world compared to US. In a few months, they have made historic progress in trying to make peace in the Middle East.

Xi Jinping has even called for an “international peace conference” to end the war and to be unified and struggle together against the terrible injustice.

A just cause wins wide support and an unjust one condemns its pursuer to be an outcast. The hegemonic, domineering, and bullying practices of using strength to intimidate and playing zero-sum games to serve self-interest are dated. Unilateral, egoistic and regressive hegemonic practices do not blend well with the democracy and capitalistic ideas the West is advancing.

We have had enough wars and we should look for peace, development, cooperation and mutual benefits and make the world a better place to live in.

Big countries should behave in a manner befitting their status and not be condescending and confrontational. Frankly, US have some soul-searching to do.

What say you… – July 24, 2024.

* Saleh Mohammed reads The Malaysian Insight.

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.