The UK will host a major peacebuilding conference on 12 March next year at Lancaster House, bringing together civil society leaders from Israel and Palestine to support the establishment of an International Peace Fund. The initiative aims to provide long-term financing for peacebuilding efforts, enabling sustainable progress toward a two-state solution and lasting stability in the region.
The conference follows the US-led ceasefire agreement and President Trump’s 20-Point Plan, which have created a critical opportunity for peace. While all living hostages have been released and some aid is reaching Gaza, the UK continues to press for full humanitarian access, particularly as winter approaches, emphasizing the urgent need to lift restrictions to deliver supplies effectively.
Civil society organisations in Israel and Palestine are seen as pivotal in maintaining forward momentum. Over the past year, the UK has worked with local and international partners to ensure these groups are ready to lead efforts in fostering long-term stability and peace, building trust between communities, and advancing reconciliation.
Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper stressed that despite the ceasefire, the path to implementing the 20-point plan remains fragile and long. The conference will bring together representatives of Israeli and Palestinian civil society to bridge divides, challenge entrenched tensions, and promote coexistence in peace and security.
Drawing on the UK’s experience in Northern Ireland and ongoing peacebuilding work in the Western Balkans, the conference will leverage international expertise to map existing efforts and design the International Peace Fund. Lessons from initiatives like the International Fund for Ireland will inform activities that reduce violence, build trust, and create conditions for a just and lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians.
