Source · Select Committees · Foreign Affairs Committee
Recommendation 17
17
Accepted
Invest in grassroots peacebuilding and conflict resolution efforts in Israel and Palestine.
Conclusion
The UK should invest in grassroots peacebuilding and conflict resolution efforts in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories through its diplomatic network and specialist Non-Governmental Organisations, building on our experience in Northern Ireland. The Committee welcomes the Prime Minister’s plans for a proposed International Fund for Israeli- Palestinian Peace and seeks an update on when this will be established. (Recommendation, Paragraph 96)
Government Response Summary
The government agrees and is committed to convening an inaugural meeting for an international fund for Israeli-Palestinian peace, noting the timing must be sensitive. It also currently supports Palestinian civil society organisations.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
The Government agrees with this recommendation. The UK is committed to convening an inaugural meeting for the international fund for Israeli- Palestinian peace, a fund modelled on the international fund for Ireland set up in the mid-80s to promote peace in Northern Ireland. Minister Falconer answered a Westminster Hall Debate on 11 March on this topic, where he emphasised the UK’s commitment to supporting peace efforts in the Middle East and the Israel-Palestine conflict. We want to make sure that the meeting will have the desired effect of building trust across the two communities, and that the timing is sensitive to the circumstances in the region. Separately, the UK currently supports Palestinian civil society organisations to protect and support the civic space and enhance women’s empowerment in Palestine, thereby strengthening Palestinian governance. Recommendation 18