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🇮🇱 Israel /Conflict & Security

Britain, Australia, Canada launch Israel-Palestine peace fund

From Jerusalem Post · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Official statement New plan
  • The UK, Australia, and Canada have launched a new International Peace Fund to advance peace between Israel and Palestine.
  • The fund will prioritize long-term peacebuilding and support a sustainable two-state solution.
  • Each country has contributed 1 million pounds, with plans to seek additional donor funding.

The United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada have jointly established a new International Peace Fund aimed at fostering peace between Israelis and Palestinians. The foreign ministers of the three nations announced the initiative, which they stated will prioritize long-term peacebuilding efforts to address the root causes of the conflict and support a viable two-state solution.

Peace, justice, and security in the Middle East depend on a two-state solution, and it is why our countries have recognized the State of Palestine alongside the State of Israel.

— Yvette CooperBritain's Foreign Secretary explains the rationale behind the fund and the recognition of Palestine.

This fund is part of a broader strategy by the UK to utilize diplomatic, humanitarian, and practical measures to promote peace in the region. It complements existing efforts that include providing humanitarian aid to Palestine, imposing sanctions on what the statement described as "violent settlers," and supporting a 20-point Gaza peace plan.

Each of the three countries has initially contributed 1 million pounds to the fund. Future plans include seeking additional financial contributions from other donors to expand its operations. The initiative was announced following discussions that also touched upon international peace-building efforts in other regions like Ukraine and Sudan, as well as the global issue of violence against women and girls.

When generations of Israelis and Palestinians have grown up with cycles of conflict and violence, we also need to support the local community organizations that are building dialogue, peace, and trust across communities.

— Yvette CooperBritain's Foreign Secretary highlights the importance of grassroots peacebuilding efforts.

British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper emphasized that peace, justice, and security in the Middle East are contingent on a two-state solution. She highlighted the need to support local community organizations that are actively working to build dialogue and trust across communities, especially after generations have experienced cycles of conflict. The fund intends to invest in new ventures, ranging from local community projects to dialogue programs for future leaders.

The fund will “prioritize long-term peacebuilding between Israelis and Palestinians to address root causes of conflict and support a sustainable two-state solution."

— UK's foreign affairs officeA statement outlining the fund's primary objectives.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Jerusalem Post in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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