International Coalition Unveils New Initiative To Revive Israeli-Palestinian Peace Process

Foreign ministers from nearly 30 countries across Europe and the Middle East gathered on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly and announced a new plan on Monday aimed at revitalizing the Israeli-Palestinian peace process. Led by the European Union, Saudi Arabia, the Arab League, Egypt, and Jordan, the initiative is called the “Peace Day Effort.”

The countries have agreed to produce a “Peace Supporting Package,” which is expected to offer various benefits to Israelis and Palestinians if they reach a peace agreement. Three working groups will be established to develop components of the package. These components will focus on regional, political, and security cooperation, as well as economic and humanitarian collaboration.

EU Special Representative for the Middle East Peace Process Sven Koopmans emphasized that the initiative aims to offer incentives and support once an Israeli-Palestinian agreement is reached but it is not intended to mediate the peace process. Koopmans also mentioned that the package would include incentives for Syria and Lebanon to make peace with Israel.

Critics of Israeli policies, including Egypt’s Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry and Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi, used the platform to call for Israel to cease “unilateral actions” such as settlement construction. The initiative is expected to be reviewed every three months, with a finalized package slated for release by September 2024.