In face of the latest round of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, more and more Global South countries have stood up to condemn the atrocity and call for peace. The tragedy in Gaza is not merely about the oppression of Palestine, but also mirrors the systemic injustice done to the Global South by hegemonic powers.

Palestine and the Global South should have the rights to subsistence and development

On 18 April 2024, the United Nations Security Council failed to endorse Palestine’s bid to become a full UN member due to a United States veto. This was the second time in 13 years since Palestine first submitted such an application, where its bid was previously blocked due to the obstruction of a few countries. The only reasoning is that its membership may undermine a certain power’s interests in the Middle East. However, international support for the two-state solution is growing with more and more Global South countries openly supporting the establishment of an independent State of Palestine. Even some Western countries have recognized the State of Palestine.

We withstand pressure to voice our support not only for Palestine but also for ourselves. Countries of the Global South have long suffered from hegemons’ suppression in their pursuit of national independence and development. The West frequently imposed sanctions or instigated “color revolutions”, even invaded the Global South countries to force them to adopt Western political models and endure Western economic exploitation. Over recent decades, the US has sanctioned, overthrown or attempted to overthrow the governments of nearly 100 Global South countries. Hegemonic powers say they are protecting democracy and freedom. But to protect their own freedom, they mercilessly deprive us, countries of the Global South, of our freedom to independently choose development model, political system and have economic independence.

By supporting Palestinian independence, we are also supporting our own independence and sovereignty. Only through solidarity can the Global South truly embark on the path of independent development.

Countries of the Global South should become equal-footed participants of the international order

Since the start of this round of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, countries of the Global South have been voicing their concerns and pushing for a ceasefire with concrete actions. South Africa has filed a genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice. Columbia and some other countries have severed diplomatic ties with Israel.

We take action, for Palestine and also for ourselves. The decision-making in international affairs has long been monopolized by a handful of powers. They act with arrogance and impunity, attempting to impede the historical trend towards greater democracy in international relations. The injustice inflicted upon the majority of countries in the world is the gravest injustice. The Global South can no longer endure the institutionalized oppression imposed by a few countries. Nor can we put ourselves at the mercy of the hegemons, or trade our national independence and sovereignty for our inherent rights that have been taken away by hegemonic powers.

Facing systemic injustice, the Global South must unite to fix the unfair and unjust international order to create a new world of fairness and justice.