Welcome back to the newest edition of This Week in Peace. Today is October 13, 2023, join us as we look back at the major developments in peacebuilding over the last week.
This week, global attention has bene focused on a recent outbreak of violence between Israel and Hamas, which threatens peace in the region and puts civilians at risk. The new war threatens peace talks between Israel and Saudi Arabia, and has the potential to escalate even further. In other parts of the world, however, there have been positive signs for peace. China and India agreed to maintain peace despite an ongoing border dispute, and Colombia finally began peace talks with a rebel group, and Taiwan’s president emphasized the importance of peaceful coexistence with China.
Peace is Shattered in Israel and Gaza
The recent outbreak of fighting in Israel and Gaza poses one of the greatest threats to peace in the Middle East in decades. The fighting began with a massive attack on Israel by Hamas fighters, during which over 1,000 Israelis, mostly civilians, were killed. In response, Israel began a relentless bombing campaign against Gaza, which has killed over 1,500 Palestinians, many of whom are also civilians. Noncombatants on both sides have suffered, with hundreds of children killed and much of Gaza lacking power, water, and access to medical facilities.
The fighting has been devastating on both sides, with growing fears of disaster in Gaza. Hamas took over one hundred people into Gaza by Hamas as hostages, including families and the elderly. Israel’s retaliatory bombing campaign has destroyed mosques and damaged hospitals, and Israeli minister stated that the siege of Gaza, including a blockade of electricity, water, and fuel, will continue until the hostages are freed. Foreign ministers of many Arab states have called for renewed negotiations towards a two-state solution, and the conflict threatens to derail a potential peace deal between Israel and Saudi Arabia.
Tragically, many of those killed in the initial attacks were peace activists, who had worked to support the rights of Palestinians. While the escalating violence and horrific losses on both sides may make peace seem unlikely, it is worth remembering that the 1973 Yom Kippur war, one of the deadliest chapters in the Arab-Israeli conflict, led to unprecedented and lasting peace between Egypt and Israel. As the conflict escalates, there is a desperate need for peace, and for the leaders of the region to emulate their predecessors and take risks to build peace.
Peace News will continue to cover this issue as it develops. You can read our past stories on this topic here, and be sure to keep an eye out for further updates.
Positive Talks between China and India
Following the most recent round of talks aimed at resolving a long-running border dispute, China and India agreed to maintain a peaceful environment around the disputed region. The two countries have a tense relationship which has worsened in the past few years. Skirmishes broke out along the border in 2020, and the talks have failed to find a permanent resolution to the dispute. However, the commitment to maintain a peaceful border, along with limited military withdrawals, is a positive development. The choice to pursue deescalation and dialogue is an important step towards building positive peace between the world’s two most populous countries, and avoiding further destructive conflict.
Colombia and FARC dissidents officially begin talks
Long-awaited peace talks finally began between Colombia and an armed group known as the Estado Mayor Central (EMC). The EMC is one of the largest successor groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), which chose to reject a 2016 peace agreement and continued armed combat against the government. Colombian President Gustavo Petro has put “total peace” at the center of his agenda, which involves dialogue with all remaining armed groups in Colombia. The government and the EMC also agreed on a ceasefire, which is expected to last at least ten months. The ceasefire and talks are important steps to bringing the decades-long conflict in Colombia to an end, and an encouraging sign that Petro’s peace initiative may be successful in the long run.
Peace News recently published an article featuring expert perspectives on Petro’s “total peace” agenda, which you can read here. You can read our past coverage of Colombia here, and we will continue to cover further developments.
Taiwan’s President Calls for Peace
Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-Wen stated that peace was the “only option” to resolve disputes between China and Taiwan. China views the island as a breakaway province, and has recently escalated its military maneuvers around it. Tsai’s Democratic Progressive Party, which supports the status quo, will face the Nationalist Party, which favors unification with China, in next year’s elections. Tsai’s public appeal for peace, despite the ongoing tension with China, is an important step towards resolving the dispute in a way that respects the wishes of the Taiwanese people. Dialogue and reconciliation are necessary to preserve cross-strait peace and prevent further military escalation.
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