The UK, Australia, and Canada have launched a new International Peace Fund to advance peace between Israel and Palestine, the three countries’ foreign ministers announced on Thursday.
The fund will “prioritize long-term peacebuilding between Israelis and Palestinians to address root causes of conflict and support a sustainable two-state solution," said the UK’s foreign affairs office in a statement.
The fund forms part of the UK’s wider effort to use all available diplomatic, humanitarian, and practical levers to support peace in Israel and Palestine.
It also “complements existing efforts to provide humanitarian support in Palestine, crack down on violent settlers, and support the 20-point Gaza peace plan,” the statement added.
The announcement came following talks between UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong, and Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand.
The inauguration of the fund was part of a broader discussion on international peace-building efforts, including the Strait of Hormuz, Ukraine and Sudan, and the global crisis of violence against women and girls.
Each country has contributed 1 million pounds to launch the fund, and once operational, it will seek additional donor funding to scale up its efforts.
Three countries recognize State of Palestine
“Peace, justice, and security in the Middle East depend on a two-state solution, and it is why our countries have recognized the State of Palestine alongside the State of Israel,” said Cooper.
“When generations of Israelis and Palestinians have grown up with cycles of conflict and violence, we also need to support the local community organizations that are building dialogue, peace, and trust across communities,” she added.
The fund, in addition to supporting existing programs and working with partners to mobilize international support, will invest in new ventures, from local community projects to dialogue between future leaders, said the UK’s statement.
The three countries have also announced new sanctions on West Bank settlers and affirmed their commitment to ensuring Hamas is disarmed and dismantled as part of US President Donald Trump’s 20-point Gaza peace plan.
Additionally, the leaders reiterated their commitment to tackling antisemitism by protecting and ensuring the freedom of Jewish communities in their respective countries, said the statement.