Israeli and Palestinian Peacebuilders Urge Permanent Government Support at UN

Israeli and Palestinian peacebuilders addressing the UN Security Council have called for governments to commit to permanent support for civil society's role in Middle East peace processes. Speakers Maoz Inon and Aziz Abu Sarah, co-founders of InterAct, emphasized the need to institutionalize the role of peacebuilding organizations in diplomacy through sustained funding and a standing presence.

The speakers, representing the Alliance for Middle East Peace (ALLMEP), urged nations to join the newly established International Fund for Israeli-Palestinian Peace. This fund, launched by the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia, aims to provide long-term support to local peacebuilders, mirroring the successful model of the International Fund for Ireland. The goal is to ensure that grassroots peacebuilding efforts receive continuous financial and political backing.

The appeal follows a commitment made by G7 leaders in June 2024 to institutionalize support for civil society. However, the practical implementation of this commitment has faced delays. Inon and Abu Sarah specifically requested governments to host peacebuilders in their capitals and amplify their messages, but crucially, to ensure their permanent integration into diplomatic processes and budgets.

The Security Council briefing occurred one week after French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot convened a roundtable during the UN General Assembly, bringing together Israeli and Palestinian civil society leaders with foreign ministers. These discussions aimed to strengthen the role of peacebuilders and incorporate their perspectives into diplomatic efforts. John Lyndon, Executive Director of ALLMEP, highlighted the importance of peacebuilders becoming permanent partners in governmental actions.