Momentum builds for 'two-state solution'

With the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip continuing to worsen day by day, the plight of Palestinians in the enclave has prompted more Western countries to join the international recognition of a Palestinian state.

In recent weeks, France, the United Kingdom and Canada have one after another announced their plans to recognize a state of Palestine in Israeli-occupied territory at the United Nations General Assembly this September.

Germany, though it has not announced a similar plan, has also voiced its support with German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul stressing last week that the process to recognize a Palestinian state "must begin now".

Persistent conflict in Gaza, the besieged Palestinian enclave's ever-deepening humanitarian disaster, and the appalling death toll of civilians have finally given the momentum for these Western countries to put the weight behind this long-gestating right of the Palestinian people. Despite the fact that 147 of the 193 UN member states have recognized the State of Palestine as a sovereign country, these Western countries, staunch supporters of Israel, had previously remained tightlipped about recognition.

Growing sympathy for the besieged Palestinians and rising public anger at Israel's inhumane campaign to clear them out of Gaza have aggregated to pressure these Western governments and politicians to respond with a policy shift.

The latest development, which has come at a high price, marks a major development in pursuit of the "two-state solution", which is the only viable way to eventually end the cycle of violence between the Israelis and Palestinians.

The inferno in Gaza cannot be allowed to go on any further. Since the conflict broke out on Oct 7, 2023, triggered by Hamas' attacks on Israel, more than 60,000 Palestinian lives have been lost in Gaza, according to local health authorities. Among those killed in Gaza, about 18,500 are children, a rate of more than one child per hour, making Gaza the most dangerous place in the world to be a child. Anyone with a conscience will be sickened and appalled at the callousness behind the heartache.

But there is much that needs to be done before the process to realize the "two-state solution" can be set in motion. For starters, the international community must continue to push for a ceasefire and press Israel to allow more international aid, especially food and medicine, into the Palestinian enclave. Starvation in the Gaza Strip has become so acute that even Israel's staunchest supporter the United States cannot deny it.

Last Monday, during his visit to Scotland, the US president acknowledged that there is "real starvation" in Gaza, which is in stark contrast to Israel's denial of a hunger crisis in the territory.

The Gaza crisis has become a scar on the conscience of the whole world. The consensus for a Palestinian state has never been greater than today. China has always firmly supported the establishment of an independent State of Palestine that enjoys full sovereignty based on the 1967 borders and with East Jerusalem as its capital. Last week, the country called on the United Nations to admit Palestine as a full member at the earliest opportunity, urging all countries not to place obstacles in its way, and appealing to those that have not yet recognized Palestine to do so without delay.

On Friday, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson deplored the US sanctions on Palestinian Authority officials and members of the Palestine Liberation Organization. Washington should join the majority of the world community in effectively implementing relevant UN resolutions, and make active efforts to promote the proper resolution of the Palestine question, rather than continuing to support Israel's unconscionable actions.

The divide between the US and some of its Western allies on the Gaza situation is becoming increasingly obvious. It should take no more lives to prompt the latter to push the US to realize that a proper settlement of the Palestine question through the "two-state solution" is not only entailed by the pressing humanitarian needs but also aligned with the call of the international community.