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Israeli and Palestinian civil society groups meeting in Paris on Friday urged the international community not to abandon a two-state solution, as France seeks to keep the issue alive amid the ongoing Middle East war. The gathering, which marked one year since the UN-backed New York Declaration, was held ahead of the G7 summit in the French Alps and drew participants from both sides of the conflict.

France's Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot addressed 250 civil society representatives, according to France 24. "We could find every reason in the world to give up. But you are here! Your testimonies alone are grounds for hope and action," he said. "France refuses to let the side of war prevail over the side of peace."

Coverage comparison

The meeting was widely covered by international outlets, with several reporting on the calls for urgent action. Reports from France 24 and the Jerusalem Post said the conference aimed to "urge the international community not to abandon a two-state solution," while The Guardian focused on the appeal to G7 leaders, noting that the groups urged them to "act at their summit... to save the narrowing chances of a two-state solution."

Reuters, as reported by the Jerusalem Post, quoted a French foreign ministry spokesperson as saying the conference was "now more essential and urgent than ever" given the stalled implementation of the Gaza ceasefire and ongoing conflicts.

Key Claims

  • The conference concluded with an eight-point "Call for Action" urging a permanent ceasefire, a halt to settlements, Gaza reconstruction, governance reforms, and stronger international backing for civil society. This was reported by multiple outlets.
  • The meeting marked one year since the UN-backed New York Declaration, which set out a roadmap towards Palestinian statehood and prompted several countries, including France, Britain, and Canada, to recognize a Palestinian state.
  • The event drew as many as 150 activists from across the Israeli-Palestinian divide, according to The Guardian, though other sources gave a figure of 250 participants.
  • The United States and Israel declined to attend, according to multiple reports. The US has not been present at previous such gatherings.

Perspectives

Some reports, such as that from The Guardian, cited the stalled progress on Palestinian self-rule and Israeli exit from Gaza, with the two sides deadlocked over disarmament. "Progress... has been stalled for six months as each side blames the other for failing to take the steps required for peace," The Guardian reported. The report noted Hamas is demanding an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, while Israel wants Hamas to disarm first, a claim that has not been independently verified.

The conference took place amidst escalating settler violence in the West Bank, which has drawn international criticism. Russia, as reported by France 24, announced new coordinated sanctions against Israeli networks involved in financing, enabling, and carrying out violence in the West Bank, alongside Britain, Canada, and France. The impact of these sanctions remains to be seen.

The joint statement from the groups said, "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 statement also warned, "The window for a solution remains open; but it is narrowing."