Impacts and Consequences
- Increased likelihood to see a global perception of the global U.S. influence and power lowered;
- Increased likelihood to see a global perception of the regional (Middle East) U.S. influence and power lowered.
Should China step in successfully as peace broker between Israelis and Palestinians
- Increased likelihood to see global perception of a new Chinese regional (Middle East) influence
- Increased likelihood to see global perception of a rising Chinese global influence
- Increased likelihood to see rising tensions between the U.S. and China
Facts and analysis
Related
As we expected previously, the U.S. decision regarding Jerusalem not only polarised the situation, but also ended up as a test for U.S. power and influence. The testing nature of the situation was reinforced by the Americans threatening to cut American aid to countries, should the latter not side with the U.S. during the U.N. General Assembly vote for a resolution that “’demanded’ that all countries comply with Security Council resolutions regarding the status of Jerusalem, following an earlier decision by the United States to recognize the Holy City as the capital of Israel” (UN News) – a resolution that thus opposed the U.S. decision regarding Jerusalem.
Despite the threat, the “resolution [was] adopted by a recorded vote of 128 in favour to nine against (Guatemala, Honduras, Israel, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, Palau, Togo, United States), with 35 abstentions” (UN News). The U.S. thus lost.
As a result, the power and influence of the U.S. seems likely to have decreased.
This was not lost on China, as it held a third symposium, “of Israeli and Palestinian peace advocates” on 21 and 22 December 2017 in Beijing, where China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi was to “meet with the Palestinian and Israeli attendees” (Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying’s Regular Press Conference on December 21, 2017). The Foreign Ministry’s spokeperson futher added that “We are willing to continue offering constructive assistance to promote the Israeli-Palestinian peace process.” (Ibid.)
Meanwhile, the content of the articles on the matter in Global Times (the international edition for the very official People’s Daily), not only stressed the American loss of influence, but also underlined the ideal Chinese position to now step in as potential broker for future peace negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians.
It thus appears likely that China could step in to try replacing the U.S. as peace broker.
Should this happen, then China would have extended and asserted its influence, furthermore in a region where it had not been so far a major player – however being increasingly active there – while the U.S. would have, on the contrary, lost not only regional but also global influence.
Impact on Issues and Uncertainties
➘ U.S. influence and power in the Middle East
➘ Global U.S. influence and power
➚ Chinese influence and power in the Middle East
➚ Global Chinese influence and power
➚ Rising tension between the U.S. and China
Sources and Signals
UN News – General Assembly demands all States comply with UN resolutions regarding status of Jerusalem
By an overwhelming majority, Member States in the United Nations General Assembly on Thursday “demanded” that all countries comply with Security Council resolutions regarding the status of Jerusalem.
Brushing Aside Trump’s Threats, U.N. General Assembly Condemns U.S. Decree on Jerusalem
Diplomats brushed aside what appeared to be a hastily organized pressure campaign by the White House, including last-minute threats by President Trump to cut off aid to countries voting for the resolution. “We will not be threatened,” Mr. Malki, one of several diplomats who spoke before the vote, told the General Assembly at an emergency meeting.
Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying’s Regular Press Conference on December 21, 2017
Palestinian, Israeli delegates meet in Beijing for peace solution – Global Times
The symposium of Israeli and Palestinian peace advocates held in Beijing shows China’s will to promote peaceful solutions to Palestine-Israel issues, but experts say the complexity of Middle East politics leaves limited space for China.
The world pays witness to historic display of US arrogance – Global Times
An emergency UN General Assembly meeting passed a resolution calling for the US to drop its recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital as well as its decision to move the US embassy there. A total of 128 countries backed the resolution, nine voted against and 35 abstained.
