On 27th-28th August, we convened a two-day seminar in Nazareth for 25 representatives of Palestinian and Israeli civil society organisations. We held a series of sessions, touching on current political and domestic challenges in both societies, as well as assessments of the international and regional context.
Member of Knesset Mossi Raz addressed the group during the first session, where he spoke about the complexities of the new Israeli governing coalition that also brings with it new opportunities to prevent harmful developments on the ground that are detrimental to the two-state solution. In the next session, we were grateful to be joined by the EU’s Deputy Head of Mission to Israel, Benoit Chapas, who shared his analysis about Europe’s commitment to advancing the two-state solution amid the new political and diplomatic atmosphere. Shaked Morag, Director of Peace Now and Shir Nosatzky, Director of Have you Seen the Horizon Lately delved into Israeli domestic politics and the vital role that the Israeli-Arab community can play in bridging the divides between the two societies. The situation in the Gaza Strip was presented by Palestinian analysts, and the session on regional cooperation in relation to water and the environment was facilitated by a Palestinian member of EcoPeace.
One theme dominated: our joint motivation to strengthen our coordination and action to bring the day of peace closer.
