More than 60 countries convened in Brussels on Tuesday for high-level talks aimed at reviving the long-stalled two-state solution, as global concern intensifies over the escalating Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The meeting, part of the International Coalition for the Implementation of the Two-State Solution, brought together governments and organizations seeking to re-establish a credible political path toward peace.
Opening the session, Maxime Prévot said the conflict is no longer confined to the region, but has become a matter of international urgency, reflected in the scale of participation. He stressed the need to connect short-term de-escalation efforts with a long-term political framework that enables both a Palestinian and an Israeli state to coexist in peace and security.
He described the gathering as taking place “in the heart of the storm,” urging participants not to lose focus on a political solution despite mounting challenges.
The European Union also pushed for renewed momentum. Kaja Kallas emphasized that the two-state solution remains the only viable path to lasting peace, calling for stronger adherence to international law, protection of human rights, and accountability mechanisms.
She criticized unilateral actions, including settlement expansion, warning that such steps undermine prospects for peace. Kallas also called on Israel to release withheld financial revenues to support the functioning of the Palestinian Authority.
In parallel discussions, key stakeholders, including Espen Barth Eide and Mohammad Mustafa, underscored the urgency of supporting Palestinian institutions and accelerating humanitarian and reconstruction efforts, particularly in Gaza.
Eide noted that any future Palestinian state must include Gaza, the West Bank, and parts of Jerusalem, while coexisting peacefully alongside Israel. He warned that the humanitarian situation in Gaza remains severe, with limited reconstruction and worsening conditions in the West Bank due to ongoing tensions and financial strain.
Mustafa reiterated the need for sustained international backing, stressing that global support remains critical to maintaining stability and advancing peace efforts.
Participants at the Brussels talks reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening relief operations and pushing forward diplomatic efforts, with a renewed focus on the two-state solution as the only pathway to a just and lasting resolution.
–Input WAM
