How the “One Belt, One Road Initiative” molds itself within the Palestine-Israel conflict
The
“One Belt, One Road” initiative's name draws from the historical trading routes
of the ancient Silk Road, a network of trade routes that connected the East and
West, facilitating the exchange of goods, culture, and ideas between
civilizations. This program becomes a contemporary interpretation. Thus, seeking
to replicate and expand upon this historical legacy by promoting economic
cooperation and integration along land and maritime routes, and increasing
China’s involvement in global affairs and powers. China initiated a proposal to
facilitate an economic dialogue between Israel and the Palestinian Authority in
hopes of reaching an end to the ongoing conflict. In this paper, I will be
relying on 2 articles in an attempt to understand Palestinian and Israeli
attitudes towards China’s gentrification proposal.
Al-Shabaka
Policy Member Zaid Shuaibi’s article1, discusses China’s diplomatic
shift from its non-interference policy to its pursuit of a prominent role in
facilitating a conflict resolution; by showcasing China’s engagement with the
Arab League, Palestinian leaders, economic investments, strategic
infrastructure planning, and advocacy to United Nations resolutions.
Furthermore, the article argues that China’s position “draws on the same
principles and mechanisms of previous international initiatives regarding the
conflict, and even bolsters them through its attention to strategies for ‘economic
peace’” (Shuaibi, 2017). The term for economic peace falls under the umbrella
of the “myth of Palestinian economy” (Arafeh, 2017); which suggests the
illusion of an independent economic development led by the Palestinians. Thus,
overlooking the root causes of the conflict, particularly Israel's occupation
and control over Palestinian territories. Israel's historical exploitation of
the Palestinian economy, coupled with restrictions on trade and movement, has
perpetuated economic dependency and inequality. The author continues to expand
by suggesting changes in China’s policies for a glimpse of real change to
occur.
On
the other hand, Gilad Kabilo’s Jerusalem Post article2 discusses
China’s potential diplomatic interests in the region by using Israel as a way
to “bypass the unstable Middle East, as well as Iran and Afghanistan” (Kabilo,
2017). The author continues to highlight possible common beneficial interests between
China and Israel through his focus on the Ashdod port project, emphasizing the
importance of investing in infrastructure, leveraging from Negev’s “unused
land”, Israel’s stability, and technological advancements; Therefore, enabling Israel
to position itself as a leader in regional logistics. In contrast, the author
sheds light on the potential downsides to China’s proposal, in which it could
undermine the relationship between Israel and the United States and impacting
the roles of neighboring countries such as Egypt and Turkey in global affairs,
considering the geopolitical reality of Israel in the Middle East.
In conclusion, the 2 articles illuminate growing concerns that surround the conflict among the Palestinian and Israeli communities: by showing the perspective of Kabilo as a public affairs director for StandWithUs and an Israel-Asia Center Leaders fellow, and Shuaibi’s perspective as a former BDS National Committee Outreach Officer in Palestine and the Arab World. By unifying and understanding both lenses, we can grasp an idea of each community’s approach towards the initiative of the “One Belt, One Road” proposed by China.
Bibliography:
Kabilo, B. G. (2017,
September 4). One belt, one road. The Jerusalem Post | JPost.com.
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/one-belt-one-road-504129
Shuaibi, Z. (2017, September
14). China’s new plan for Israel-Palestine - Al-Shabaka. Al-Shabaka.
Retrieved March 12, 2024, from
https://al-shabaka.org/memos/chinas-new-plan-israel-palestine/
Arafeh, N. (2017, July 6).
The myth of a ‘Palestinian economy.’ Al Jazeera.
https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2017/7/6/the-myth-of-a-palestinian-economy
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