The United Kingdom, Australia and Canada are set to launch a £3 million ($4 million) international fund aimed at supporting peacebuilding efforts between Israelis and Palestinians and advancing prospects for a future two-state solution.
The initiative, known as the International Peace Fund, seeks to address the underlying causes of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict by investing in grassroots programs that promote dialogue, trust and cooperation between communities.
The fund will draw on the UK's experience in supporting peace and reconciliation efforts in Northern Ireland, as well as ongoing initiatives in the Western Balkans. Funding will be directed towards community projects, youth organizations and civil society groups working to strengthen relations between Israelis and Palestinians.
British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said the initiative would support individuals and organizations dedicated to fostering understanding and cooperation across divided communities.
She noted that generations of Israelis and Palestinians have grown up amid conflict and violence, highlighting the importance of supporting local groups that promote dialogue, peacebuilding and mutual trust.
The announcement is expected to be made during a meeting between Cooper, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand at Chevening, the UK foreign secretary’s official country residence in Kent.
Each country has contributed £1 million to the fund, which will also seek additional international donors as it begins operations.
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