PARIS (France) (AFP) – Palestinian and Israeli civil society groups urged support for a two-state solution, saying “the window of opportunity” was closing, as they met in Paris on Friday._x000D_
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The government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, one of the most right-wing in Israel’s history, vehemently opposes the emergence of a sovereign and fully independent Palestinian state in the occupied West Bank and Gaza, and is working on the ground to undermine the possibility of a two-state solution._x000D_
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The Paris meeting came ahead of a G7 summit in the French town of Evian-les-Bains next week and was attended by the EU’s foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas as well as ministers from Brazil, Canada, the United Arab Emirates and Turkey._x000D_
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In a statement, representatives of Palestinian and Israeli civil society groups called on G7 leaders to urgently take action._x000D_
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“Israelis and Palestinians alike remain trapped in fear, insecurity, and trauma,” they said._x000D_
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“The window for a solution remains open; but it is narrowing. This moment requires urgent diplomacy, grounded in partnership with civil society.”_x000D_
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The groups proposed an eight-point action plan, calling in particular for the implementation of a permanent ceasefire, progress on a two-state solution and a halt to settlement expansion._x000D_
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Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot reaffirmed France’s support for the two-state solution, saying “this year could be decisive.”_x000D_
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In a break with decades of Western foreign policy, France, Britain, Canada and several other countries last year recognised a Palestinian state._x000D_
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Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack on Israel sparked the war in Gaza, where a ceasefire in effect since October has largely halted fighting._x000D_
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But Israel and Hamas trade near-daily accusations of ceasefire violations and the Gaza Strip remains gripped by bloodshed as progress on permanently ending the war remains stalled._x000D_
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The Palestinian Authority led by president Mahmud Abbas appears extremely weakened and deeply unpopular.
