UK, Australia and Canada Launch Peace Fund to Support Israeli-Palestinian Dialogue

Britain is stepping up efforts to address the root causes of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and support a path toward a two-state solution through the launch of a new international peace fund. The announcement came as British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper hosted her counterparts from Australia and Canada, Penny Wong and Anita Anand, for talks on the Strait of Hormuz, advancing peace in the Middle East, and the wars in Ukraine and Sudan. The peace fund announcement is part of Britain’s broader effort to use all the diplomatic, humanitarian and practical tools at its disposal to support peace in Israel and Palestine. In partnership with Australia and Canada, the fund will provide practical support for grassroots initiatives that bring communities together to rebuild trust and reduce the divisions that undermine the prospect of long-term peace. In addition to supporting existing programs to expand their reach and capacity, the fund will also invest in new initiatives across all levels of society, from local community projects to support for dialogue programs among future leaders. Funding will go to a range of projects, especially those involving youth groups, civil society organizations and women, with an emphasis on building relationships and creating opportunities for engagement that can strengthen future peace negotiations.

British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said: "Peace, justice and security in the Middle East depend on a two-state solution, which is why our countries have recognized the State of Palestine alongside the State of Israel. But all too often peace in the Middle East seems to be the preserve of international diplomacy. When generations of Israelis and Palestinians have grown up in cycles of conflict and violence, we also have a responsibility to support local community organizations that are building dialogue, peace and trust between communities. We are making clear that a negotiated two-state solution remains the only possible path to a just and lasting peace that provides security and dignity for both Israelis and Palestinians. This fund will help support progress toward that goal from within these communities themselves."

At the meeting, the three foreign ministers reiterated their commitment to ensuring that Hamas is disarmed, removed from positions of power and dismantled under the 20-point plan for peace in Gaza, so that it cannot play any part in the future governance of Palestine and no longer pose a future threat to Israel’s security. The three ministers also discussed the global rise in antisemitic hatred and violence, and restated their commitment to protecting the security of Jewish communities, which in recent years have been targeted by horrific attacks in Britain, Australia and Canada.

Britain, Australia and Canada have each allocated 1 million pounds sterling, nearly 4 million shekels, for the launch of the fund. Once operational, the fund will seek to attract other donors and expand its efforts. It will complement diplomatic and humanitarian efforts by investing in the social and civic foundations needed for sustainable peace and by working with additional partners to mobilize broader international support.