Helsinki Policy Forum Online Steering Group Meeting to discuss the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, 2 November 2023

On 2 November 2023, Forward Thinking convened an online meeting of the Helsinki Policy Forum Steering Group to hear perspectives from European and Gulf-MENA region foreign ministries on the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The discussion outlined both obstacles to and opportunities for finding durable options to end violence, as well as recommended next steps. The discussion included officials from Finland, Iran, Ireland, Jordan, Oman, Sweden, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, and the UK.

Urgent short-term issues have to be addressed before long-term solutions can be found. These short-term issues underline the need for an immediate ceasefire to enable access of humanitarian aid into Gaza, the release of hostages, and to prevent the conflict from escalating in the West Bank and the wider region. There is an urgent need to support efforts for an international peace conference to develop durable options to end violence.

Considering the loss, as seen by some, of the west’s moral authority due to its positions vis-à-vis Israel, greater dialogue between the US, Europe, and the Gulf-MENA region is required.

A durable political option will also require compromises on ‘both sides’ that are acceptable to Israel, Palestine, and the region, to prevent violence reproducing itself.