What’s behind the Arab-Islamic ministerial tour of UNSC states?: Analysis

A delegation consisting of representatives from Islamic and Arab nations is currently on a tour of the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council. Their main objectives include urging for a ceasefire in the ongoing conflict in Gaza, facilitating the delivery of humanitarian aid to the region, and seeking support from the council members for Palestinians in their pursuit of an independent state. However, experts have differing opinions on the effectiveness and format of this diplomatic initiative.

The delegation, formed at a summit of the Arab League and Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Riyadh, includes representatives from Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, Nigeria, the Palestinian Authority, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and the secretary-general of the OIC. The delegation rejects Israel’s claim that its military actions in Gaza are in self-defense.

The tour began in China, where the delegation met with Wang Yi, China’s top diplomat, on Monday in Beijing. The decision to start the tour in China has raised speculation among analysts about the intended message to Western powers. Some experts question the true agenda of the delegation, suggesting that it may be a diplomatic strategy that appears active but achieves little.

During their visit, a humanitarian pause was announced, receiving significant attention from the delegation. They are also pushing for a more enduring cessation of hostilities. The agreed-upon pause involves the release of approximately 50 women and children by Hamas in exchange for three times as many Palestinian female and child prisoners held by Israel. The pause is set to last four days, during which the captives will be released. Additionally, Israel has committed to ceasing fighting for an additional day for every batch of 10 captives Hamas releases.

Following their meeting in China, the delegation also held discussions with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Moscow and the UK’s foreign secretary, David Cameron, in London. On Wednesday, they met with French President Emmanuel Macron. Starting the tour in China may indicate a desire to gather global support that can be presented to nations supporting Israel.

China has welcomed the diplomatic efforts, expressing its long-standing support for the rights and interests of the Palestinian people. Some experts interpret this as a move by Arab states to exert indirect influence by shaping the global narrative and influencing the positions of key global players. However, others argue that only the US possesses the necessary leverage over Israel to effectively address the conflict.

China’s involvement in brokering a peace deal between Iran and Saudi Arabia in August has already signaled a potential shift in Middle East alliances away from the US. Arab leaders have voiced concerns about US disengagement from the region and its focus on promoting the Abraham Accords, normalization agreements between Israel and Arab countries. Prior to October 7, there were reports of Saudi Arabia and Israel working towards normalizing relations, which would have been a significant development.

The recent widespread public support for Palestinians, especially in the Middle East, has disrupted the dynamics surrounding the normalization process. However, underlying strategic calculations supporting such efforts are unlikely to disappear entirely. The perception of the US as a staunch ally of Israel is deeply ingrained and may not be easily changed, despite efforts by the current administration to restore aid to Palestinians.

Although Arab states may be frustrated with the unwavering US support for Israel, their visit to China does not indicate a complete loss of faith in the US. The delegation’s ultimate goal is to galvanize international support and increase pressure on the Israeli government. Arab leaders recognize that the power to achieve a ceasefire lies with the US, and therefore engaging with them remains crucial.

Overall, the reliable information and facts presented in the article provide a generally accurate overview of the delegation’s tour and its objectives. However, it is essential to critically evaluate the credibility of sources and consider potential biases that may influence the presentation of information. The geopolitical context and the prevalence of fake news can shape public perception of the information, adding further complexity and potential for misinformation.
Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/11/23/whats-behind-the-arab-islamic-ministerial-tour-of-unsc-states