Palestinian Factions Meet in Beijing with Limited Expectations

Palestinian Factions Meet in Beijing Amidst Low Expectations

In a significant diplomatic gesture, top officials from Hamas and Fatah, the two leading Palestinian factions, are convening in Beijing this week. This meeting underscores China’s ambition to assert itself as a more influential player in Middle Eastern diplomacy. However, hopes for any meaningful breakthroughs remain dim.

Past attempts to mediate between Hamas and Fatah have failed to yield substantial results, including a previous meeting in Beijing back in April. The two factions have a long and contentious history, often at odds over leadership and authority among the Palestinian populace. Each group is keenly aware of the other’s potential to undermine its power, further complicating efforts towards unity.

The ongoing meetings seem more like a strategic maneuver by China to position itself as a peace broker following its successful negotiations that led to a rapprochement between Saudi Arabia and Iran last year. While Beijing is not directly involved in the ongoing cease-fire discussions between Israel and Hamas—led primarily by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States—experts emphasize that cooperation between Hamas and Fatah is essential for any discussions regarding Gaza’s future post-conflict.

Both Hamas and Fatah have sent high-ranking officials to Beijing, alongside representatives from smaller Palestinian factions. Earlier this month, senior Hamas official Mousa Abu Marzouk indicated that Ismail Haniyeh, the chairman of Hamas’s political bureau, would attend the meetings. However, it was later noted that Haniyeh was not present among the attendees.

Mustafa Barghouti, chairman of the Palestinian National Initiative, a smaller faction, remarked that some progress had been made during the meetings in Beijing. Nevertheless, he warned that the true test will be whether Hamas and Fatah take actionable steps to foster cooperation on the ground.

Wang Yi, China’s top diplomat, was anticipated to engage with both Hamas and Fatah on Tuesday. The Chinese Foreign Ministry has yet to respond to requests for comments regarding the ongoing discussions. During a news conference on Monday, a spokeswoman for the ministry reiterated, “China has always firmly supported the just cause of the Palestinian people to restore their legitimate national rights,” while adding that the specifics of the meetings would be disclosed “in due course.”

Experts suggest that Chinese diplomats are unlikely to take bold actions that might reveal the limits of their influence. Robert Mogielnicki, a senior resident scholar at the Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington, commented, “Chinese officials will offer an international platform for their regional partners,” noting that the primary aim is to enhance Beijing’s global stature.

Palestinian analysts share a similar skepticism regarding the outcomes of the Beijing meetings. They highlight the inherent challenges, suggesting that Hamas and Fatah’s presence in Beijing is more about appeasing their Chinese hosts than a genuine effort to forge agreements. Akram Atallah, a Palestinian columnist for Al-Ayyam, a newspaper based in Ramallah, stated, “They’re not going to China to make deals, develop cooperation, and build a political partnership,” emphasizing that their visit is primarily meant to honor China’s role in the region.

Zixu Wang contributed reporting from Hong Kong.