The United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada have presented this Thursday a new initiative called the International Fund for Peace between Israelis and Palestinians, aimed at promoting the construction of peace in the Middle East, fostering understanding between both parties, and reinforcing the viability of the two-state solution.
"The Peace Fund will invest in programs that promote a two-state solution, help reduce division, strengthen civil society, and support dialogue and cooperation within and between Israeli and Palestinian communities, thereby laying the groundwork for peace," they stated in a joint statement.
The three governments have explained that the mechanism will be open to financial contributions from other international partners "committed to fostering peace," after each of these countries has committed an initial contribution of one million pounds (more than one million euros) spread over a three-year period.
"As the prospects for a two-state solution remain difficult in the short term, there is an urgent need to invest in conditions that can make future peace possible, through sustained dialogue and vital citizen participation," the three countries have argued.
As they have detailed, the fund aims to underpin a "negotiated two-state solution in which Israeli and Palestinian communities can live in peace, security, and dignity" and, at the same time, "will help strengthen the voices of moderates and marginalize extremists," including the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas).
"As we have learned from other entrenched conflicts around the world, peace cannot be achieved through political and security measures alone. It also requires a sustained effort to rebuild trust, strengthen cooperation, and highlight people's shared humanity," they emphasized.
Funding will be directed to civil society organizations operating in both Israel and Palestine. "We call on our international partners to support this initiative and invest in the foundations of long-term peace," they said.
At the same time, they have called on the parties involved to "take measures to reduce tensions, protect civilians, including humanitarian workers, and respect International Law" after three years of "devastating loss of civilian lives" and an increase in polarization and mistrust between the two communities.