The two main rival Palestinian factions, Fatah and Hamas, signed a joint statement in Beijing on Tuesday that endorsed, in concept, a temporary government for the Gaza Strip and the Israeli-occupied West Bank, in a grand show of unity brokered by China’s foreign ministry.
Smaller Palestinian groups also signed the statement.
For China, the agreement represents an opportunity to promote an image of Beijing as a peace broker and an important player in the Middle East.
Mahmoud al-Aloul, the deputy leader of Fatah, showered praise on China for standing beside the Palestinian people.
Both men posed for photos with Wang Yi, China’s foreign minister, in an ornate hall in Beijing.
Persons:
Fatah, Mousa Abu Marzouk, Mahmoud al, Wang Yi
Organizations:
Gaza, West Bank, Hamas
Locations:
Beijing, China