The historical roots of Palestinian factions and Beijing Declaration

Editor's note: Yu Guoqing is a professor and research fellow from the Institute of West Asian and African Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. The article reflects the author's opinions and not necessarily the views of CGTN.

The complex and multifaceted nature of Palestinian politics has deep historical roots, which have led to the current proliferation of factions. 

The Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), founded in Jerusalem in May 1964, is widely recognized as the sole legitimate representative of all Palestinian people. This recognition was solidified in October 1974 during the seventh Arab Summit. Fatah, the largest and most influential party within the PLO, was officially established in 1965.

Initially advocating for armed struggle to liberate Palestinian territories, Fatah, under Yasser Arafat's leadership until his death in 2004, gradually adopted a more moderate and pragmatic stance, advocating for the recognition of Israel and seeking a peaceful resolution to the Arab-Israeli conflict based on the land-for-peace formula. Mahmoud Abbas succeeded Arafat as the chairman of the PLO Executive Committee.

In contrast, Hamas, the Islamic Resistance Movement, emerged in the Israeli-occupied Gaza Strip in the 1980s and was formally established in 1987. Hamas has consistently rejected the existence of Israel and has pursued the establishment of a Palestinian state on all territories occupied by Israel through armed struggle. Despite the Oslo Accords signed in 1993 between Israel and the PLO, which initiated the process of Palestinian self-governance in Gaza and the West Bank, Hamas has never recognized these accords. In January 2006, Hamas won the Palestinian legislative elections and took power. By 2007, Hamas had expelled Fatah forces from Gaza, resulting in a divided Palestinian polity with Hamas controlling Gaza and Fatah governing the West Bank.

The recent reconciliation talks in Beijing included 12 other factions, most of which were established in the 1960s and 1970s. Despite their differing political views and activities, often conducted outside Palestinian territories, the majority of these groups recognize the PLO as the sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian people.

The signing of the Beijing Declaration by these factions is a significant development with potential implications for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the broader Middle East peace process. Firstly, the international community's acknowledgment of the declaration underscores the Palestinian people's urgent desire to establish an independent state. This unified stance can help galvanize international support for Palestinian statehood, potentially leading to Palestine's formal membership in the United Nations and enhancing its global standing.

Secondly, the Beijing Declaration addresses the urgent need to halt the Gaza conflict through a three-step road map, emphasizing increased humanitarian aid to Palestine and promoting negotiations for a permanent ceasefire. This approach aims to create the necessary conditions for Gaza's post-conflict reconstruction.

Moreover, the declaration sends a clear message to Israel and its closest ally, the United States, highlighting China's peace efforts and the broad international support, including from Arab states, the UN and the EU, for the Palestinian cause. It urges the U.S. and Israel to take effective measures to alleviate the worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza and accelerate negotiations with Palestinian representatives to secure the release of hostages – a goal shared by both nations.

In the context of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's visit to the U.S., the declaration will pile pressure on Israel's military operation in Gaza. While the U.S. and other Western countries might cast doubt on the feasibility of the consensus reached by the Palestinian factions, Arab countries should greet it with a positive attitude.

In the event of a ceasefire in Gaza, the international community should swiftly initiate a more inclusive and representative new round of Middle East peace negotiations. The Beijing Declaration could thus play a crucial role in facilitating future peace efforts in the region.