Continued milestones in UK support for an International Fund for I-P Peace

UK Government & Parliament Reaffirm Commitment to the International Fund

This past week marked a significant step forward in UK support for civil society-led conflict resolution in Israel-Palestine, with an unprecedented showing of support from Parliamentarians across the House of Commons. ALLMEP’s Policy Coordinator was joined in London by the co-directors of ALLMEP member A Land for All, Dr. Rula Hardal and May Pundak, along with internationally renowned Israeli peace activist, Yonatan Zeigen, for a series of high-level engagements in Parliament. These discussions underscored the vital role of civil society in peacebuilding and the growing momentum behind the UK’s commitment to the International Fund for Israeli-Palestinian Peace.

On Tuesday, March 11, we met with Alex Ballinger MP, a member of the Foreign Affairs Committee and co-chair of the APPG on Conflict Prevention, Conflict Resolution & Peacebuilding. Yonatan highlighted the tools the UK has to lead on conflict resolution, including the International Fund for Israeli-Palestinian Peace, and the diplomatic strength it can leverage alongside European and Arab partners. He shared his personal experience, emphasizing the urgent need for action so that no one else has to suffer the kind of loss he endured with the murder of his mother, Vivian Silver, on October 7th.

Immediately after this meeting, Alex Ballinger attended a Foreign Affairs Committee session where Middle East Minister Hamish Falconer was giving evidence on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The Minister reaffirmed the UK’s commitment to the Fund, which had been endorsed by Prime Minister Keir Starmer in December, stating that “peace is by far the most effective intervention… so it will continue to be a priority.”

This was reinforced later that day during a dedicated Westminster Hall debate on the merits of the International Fund, in which a wide range of cross-party MPs spoke in favor of the initiative.

Interventions came from former Development Minister Anneliese Dodds MP, as well as members of the Foreign Affairs Committee and the International Development Committee, and many others. They all cited examples of the impactful work of ALLMEP members such as Wahat al-Salam/Neve Shalom, ROOTS, MEET, EcoPeace, Combatants for Peace, the Middle East Children’s Institute and the Holy Land Trust. 

MPs from across the political spectrum called for the government to ensure this commitment moves forward. They urged the Minister to prioritize the Fund in upcoming diplomatic engagements, including the G7 Foreign Ministers’ meeting, and to provide details on the inaugural meeting of the Fund, which the Foreign Secretary had committed to in December.

In response, the Middle East Minister concluded the debate by stating: “The Prime Minister and the Foreign Secretary are committed to convening the meeting [for the international fund for Israeli-Palestinian peace] that many have discussed… we reaffirm our support for a credible pathway towards peace, leading to a two-state solution where Israelis and Palestinians live side by side in peace, dignity and security, and we agree on the merits of an international fund for Israeli-Palestinian peace” 

Watch the full 60 min Westminster debate. Read the transcript.