French conference brings Israeli, Palestinian civil groups together on two-state push

PARIS: Israeli and Palestinian civil society organisations are due to meet in France on Friday to press the international community to keep backing a two-state solution, as Paris tries to sustain focus on the issue during the war in the Middle East.

The meeting will bring together foreign ministers and senior officials from dozens of countries. It comes one year after the UN-backed New York Declaration, which outlined a path toward Palestinian statehood and was followed by recognition of a Palestinian state by about a dozen countries, including France, Britain and Canada.

France’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on Thursday that the gathering had become more urgent because of conditions in the region and the lack of progress on the Gaza ceasefire.

"“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,”"

The conference is set to conclude with an eight-point Call for Action that will be presented to G7 leaders meeting in the French Alps from Monday. According to the action plan seen by Reuters, the appeal calls for a permanent ceasefire, an end to settlement activity, reconstruction in Gaza, governance changes and stronger international support for civil society efforts.

Concerns over settlements and West Bank violence

The action plan says the broader situation has continued to deteriorate, with Gaza in ruins and Israel still facing security threats. It also says settler violence, the continued growth of settlements, de facto annexation and threats to the Palestinian Authority are damaging the prospects of a future Palestinian state.

"“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 adds that both Israelis and Palestinians remain affected by fear, insecurity and trauma, while warning that the opportunity for a settlement has not closed but is shrinking.

"“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 is being held as violence by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank has intensified, adding to frustration in a number of Western countries with the government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, which has expanded settlements. Diplomats say the expansion is intended to weaken the possibility of establishing a Palestinian state.

One of the main issues is Israel’s proposal for a settlement east of Jerusalem known as the E1 project. That plan would split the West Bank and separate it from East Jerusalem, further breaking up territory that Palestinians want for an independent state.

On Tuesday, Britain, Canada, France and Norway announced coordinated sanctions targeting Israeli networks accused of financing, enabling and carrying out violence in the occupied West Bank.

Israel and US stay away

Israel and the United States are not attending the conference. In a statement, the Israeli embassy said its ambassador had been invited but would not take part.

"“The ambassador was invited but will not attend the conference, as it has nothing to do with promoting peace,”"

The statement also rejected France’s role on the issue and referred to past Palestinian responses to statehood proposals.

"“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.”"