The paper outlines the existing and potential role of the EU in helping to shape a sustainable resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in the aftermath of the Gaza war under new Israeli government. It builds on the three stages and sequence of “The Israeli Initiative,” a detailed roadmap to establish a demilitarized de-radicalized Palestinian state and promote long-term security for both Israel and Palestine. The paper emphasizes the EU’s possible transition from being mainly a financial supporter (“payer”) to an influential participant (“player”) in the resolution of this conflict.
Key points:
1. The Gaza war reignited the Two-State Solution, with the US, EU, and Arab countries working together to achieve it through a “reverse engineering” approach.
2. The EU’s potential role is outlined in three stages of “The Israeli Initiative”:
Political Horizon: Establish a political vision and international monitoring forum.
Transitional Phase (peace-building): Demilitarize the Palestinian state, rebuild Gaza, hold elections, and begin regional projects.
Negotiation (peace-making): Final negotiations for Palestinian statehood and normalizing Israel-Arab relations.
The paper highlights the importance of the EU’s role in maintaining the viability of the Two-State Solution in the West Bank. In the short term, the EU should provide humanitarian aid, counter annexation efforts in the West Bank, stabilize the Palestinian Authority (PA), and address Iranian proxies. Its influence depends on trust-building with both sides and leveraging its status as both a financial and political player.
The conclusion calls on the EU to prepare for post-war diplomatic and economic opportunities, with a focus on revitalizing the PA, stabilizing the region, and gaining trust with Israel through continued engagement.
