Civil society organizations from Israel and Palestine convened in France on Friday to encourage the international community to maintain support for a two-state solution, as Paris works to keep the diplomatic option viable during the ongoing Middle East conflict.
The conference brought together foreign ministers and top officials from numerous nations, commemorating the first anniversary of the U.N.-supported New York Declaration. That declaration outlined a pathway to Palestinian statehood and led approximately twelve nations, including France, Britain and Canada, to formally recognize a Palestinian state.
A spokesperson for France’s Foreign Ministry addressed reporters on Thursday, stating: “Given the current situation in the region, marked by seemingly endless conflicts, too many civilian casualties and a cycle of violence, and in light of the stalled implementation of the Gaza ceasefire … we believe this conference is now more essential and urgent than ever.”
Participants will conclude the conference by presenting an eight-point “Call for Action” that advocates for a lasting ceasefire, ending settlement construction, rebuilding Gaza, implementing governance changes, and increasing international support for civil society organizations.
The action plan will be presented to G7 leaders during their upcoming meeting in the French Alps starting Monday.
According to the action plan obtained by Reuters: “The region continues to fracture. Gaza is devastated, Israel remains under threat. Settler terrorism, settlement expansion, and de facto annexation and threats to the Palestinian Authority continue to undermine the viability of a future Palestinian state.”
The document continues: “Israelis and Palestinians alike remain trapped in fear, insecurity, and trauma. We return because, as the G7 convenes in Évian, this conflict risks once again being set aside. The window for a solution remains open; but it is narrowing.”
The conference takes place as Israeli settler violence in the occupied West Bank intensifies, highlighting growing frustration among Western nations with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s administration, which has increased settlement activity.
According to diplomatic sources, this expansion strategy aims to weaken the possibility of establishing a Palestinian state.
Officials are particularly worried about Israel’s proposed settlement construction east of Jerusalem, called the E1 project, which would divide the West Bank and separate it from East Jerusalem, breaking up territory that Palestinians want for their future nation.
On Tuesday, Britain, Canada, France and Norway implemented new coordinated sanctions targeting Israeli networks that finance, support and execute violence in the Israeli-occupied West Bank.
Both Israel and the United States chose not to participate in the conference.
The Israeli embassy released a statement saying: “The ambassador was invited but will not attend the conference, as it has nothing to do with promoting peace. France cannot act as a mediator between Israel and the Palestinians. Regarding the two-state solution, the ambassador recalls that the Palestinians have rejected proposals to establish a Palestinian state on five occasions.”
