France Hosts Israeli-Palestinian Peace Conference to Revive Two-State Solution

French officials, Israeli and Palestinian civil society leaders, and representatives from dozens of countries gathered in France on Friday to reaffirm support for a two-state solution and prevent the issue from fading amid ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

The conference marks one year since the adoption of the U.N.-backed New York Declaration, a diplomatic framework designed to advance Palestinian statehood. The declaration encouraged several nations, including France, the United Kingdom, and Canada, to formally recognize a Palestinian state.

French authorities stressed the urgency of the meeting as violence continues across the region. According to France’s Foreign Ministry, the prolonged Gaza conflict, rising civilian casualties, and stalled ceasefire efforts have made renewed international engagement more important than ever.

Participants are expected to conclude the event by endorsing an eight-point “Call for Action.” The proposal advocates for a permanent ceasefire, an end to settlement expansion, reconstruction efforts in Gaza, governance reforms, and increased international support for peacebuilding initiatives led by civil society groups.

The final document will be presented to G7 leaders ahead of their summit in the French Alps next week. Organizers warn that the prospects for a negotiated peace agreement are shrinking as tensions continue to rise. The statement highlights the devastation in Gaza, ongoing security concerns in Israel, and the impact of settlement growth, settler violence, and concerns over de facto annexation in the occupied West Bank.

The conference also reflects growing frustration among several Western governments toward Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s administration. Many diplomats argue that continued settlement expansion threatens the viability of a future Palestinian state.

Particular attention has focused on Israel’s proposed E1 settlement project east of Jerusalem. Critics say the development would divide the West Bank and further separate it from East Jerusalem, territory Palestinians view as essential for an independent state.

Earlier this week, Britain, Canada, France, and Norway announced coordinated sanctions targeting individuals and networks linked to violence in the Israeli-occupied West Bank.

Neither Israel nor the United States attended the conference. Israeli officials dismissed the gathering, stating it would not contribute to peace efforts. The Israeli embassy in France also reiterated its position that previous proposals for Palestinian statehood had been rejected by Palestinian leaders on multiple occasions.

Despite the absence of key stakeholders, conference organizers insist that preserving momentum for a two-state solution remains critical to achieving long-term peace and stability in the region.