Palestinian and Israeli civil society groups have issued a joint plea to G7 leaders, urging them to intervene decisively at their upcoming summit in Évian-les-Bains, France, to safeguard the diminishing prospects of a two-state solution. The call for action emerged from a meeting in Paris on Friday, where representatives from across the Israeli-Palestinian divide convened to formulate proposals.
The groups, comprising as many as 150 activists, outlined specific demands including the enforcement of a permanent, monitored ceasefire, the disarmament of Hamas, and the commencement of reconstruction efforts in Gaza. They also advocated for the integration of various peace initiatives, such as the Board of Peace initiative, into a unified programme. In a joint statement, they lamented the devastation in Gaza and the ongoing threat to Israel, highlighting how "settler violence, settlement expansion and de facto annexation and threats to the Palestinian Authority continue to undermine the viability of a future Palestinian state." They stressed that both Israelis and Palestinians remain "trapped in fear, insecurity and trauma."
A primary concern voiced by the groups was the potential for discussions on Gaza to be sidelined at the G7 summit. Instead, they implored leaders to acknowledge that while a window for a solution remains open, it is rapidly closing. They emphasised that "the moment requires urgent diplomacy, grounded in partnership with civil society." This sentiment reflects a broader frustration that diplomatic efforts have been too top-down and disconnected from the lived realities of people in the region.
The Paris gathering, which also saw the attendance of Arab and European foreign ministers, including Kaja Kallas, the EU foreign policy chief, aimed to bridge the gap between diplomatic initiatives and the enduring civil society movements in Israel and Palestine. John Lyndon, executive director of the Alliance for Middle East Peace, a coalition of over 200 NGOs, noted an openness within Israeli society towards a two-state solution, despite this constituency often being underrepresented by political parties. He pointed out the irony that it is sometimes easier to convene such groups in Paris under the auspices of the French government than within Israel itself, due to existing restrictions.
The proposals put forward also included calls for meaningful consequences for settler violence, guaranteed humanitarian access, and the transparent funding of reconstruction through a multi-year mechanism with genuine Palestinian ownership, including civil society involvement. A clear objective is to link Gaza and the West Bank, and the groups additionally pushed for Palestinian elections to be held this year. The meeting underscored the critical need for proper funding of the Palestinian Authority, warning that its financial instability could deepen Hamas's entrenchment in Gaza and exacerbate unrest in the West Bank. This comes as the UK, alongside Canada and Australia, has recently established a new funding stream specifically designed to support peace groups in the region.
The UK Government has consistently affirmed its commitment to a two-state solution as the most viable path to lasting peace in the Middle East. The Foreign Office regularly updates its travel advice for British nationals, cautioning against all but essential travel to certain areas of the Palestinian territories and advising against all travel to Gaza, due to the volatile security situation. Any further escalation in the conflict or delay in peace processes could have broader implications for regional stability, potentially affecting trade routes and energy supplies, though direct UK trade impacts are currently contained.