Full Breakdown
France Hosts Civil Society Conference on Two-State Solution Amid Growing Regional Tensions
6/12/2026, 9:06:13 AM
Conference Overview and Objectives
On 12 June 2026, Paris hosted a civil-society conference convened by French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot. Around 40 states and 15 foreign ministers attended, together with roughly 37 Israeli and Palestinian NGOs. The meeting concluded with an eight-point “Call for Action” urging a permanent ceasefire, settlement freeze, Gaza reconstruction, governance reforms and stronger international support for civil society, to be presented to G7 leaders in the French Alps.
Background and Recent Developments
The gathering marks one year after the U.N.-backed New York Declaration, which set a roadmap toward Palestinian statehood and prompted a dozen countries—including France, Britain and Canada—to recognise a Palestinian state in 2025. Since then, settlement expansion—particularly the E1 project east of Jerusalem—has intensified, prompting coordinated sanctions by Britain, Canada, France and Norway against Israeli networks operating in the occupied West Bank. A French-initiated war-crimes probe into alleged Israeli actions against anti-Israel activists further strained bilateral ties.
Key Figures and Groups
Primary organizers are French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot and the French Foreign Ministry. Participants include foreign ministers from dozens of nations, representatives of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem (Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa), and civil-society leaders from Israeli groups such as J Street, Standing Together and Women Wage Peace, as well as Palestinian NGOs. The Israeli embassy issued a formal statement refusing participation.
Data and Statistics
- Approx. 40 states represented
- 15 foreign ministers present
- 37 civil-society organizations engaged
- 8-point Call for Action drafted
- 1 year since the New York Declaration
- 1 year after France’s recognition of a Palestinian state
Why It Matters: Regional and Diplomatic Impact
The conference seeks to keep the two-state solution on the international agenda as the G7 summit approaches, highlighting concerns over settlement expansion, humanitarian needs in Gaza, and the protection of Christian communities in the Holy Land. French officials argue that a credible political horizon and concrete commitments are essential for any durable peace.
Official Statements & Responses
The French Foreign Ministry spokesperson described the meeting as “more essential and urgent than ever,” emphasizing the need for a credible political horizon. Barrot reiterated France’s commitment to a two-state solution, the preservation of Christian sites, and humanitarian aid to Gaza. The Israeli embassy stated that the ambassador would not attend, asserting the conference “has nothing to do with promoting peace” and that France “cannot act as a mediator.” French officials also announced coordinated sanctions against Israeli networks linked to West-Bank violence.
Criticism and Opposition
Israel-policy analyst Yitzhak Eldan labeled the French initiative “a hollow gesture by a toxic France” and accused Barrot of bypassing both Israeli and Palestinian authorities. The Israeli ambassador to the United States, Yechiel Leiter, expressed that Jerusalem prefers to keep France “as far away as possible” from peace negotiations. Israeli officials also cited five Palestinian rejections of statehood proposals, challenging the premise of the conference.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
French sources present the two-state solution as viable, while the Israeli embassy claims Palestinians have repeatedly rejected statehood proposals. Details of the French war-crimes probe remain undisclosed, creating uncertainty about its scope and potential impact on diplomatic relations. The effectiveness of the newly announced sanctions against Israeli networks is not yet measurable.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Given the current situation in the region, marked by seemingly endless conflicts, too many civilian casualties and a cycle of violence, and in light of the stalled implementation of the Gaza ceasefire ... we believe this conference is now more essential and urgent than ever,” — France’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson
- “The ambassador was invited but will not attend the conference, as it has nothing to do with promoting peace,” — Israeli embassy
- “It’s not a push for peace, it’s a hollow gesture by a toxic France that has become obsessive about Israel and frustrated about its loss of control in the region in favor of the U.S.,” — Yitzhak Eldan, France-Israel expert
- “We have notably agreed with the patriarch to work on relaunching the Christian educational presence in Gaza,” — Jean-Noël Barrot, French Foreign Minister
- “there were no activities that justified strikes” — Emmanuel Macron, President of France (as quoted in source)
- “The region continues to fracture. Gaza is devastated, Israel remains under threat. Settler terrorism, settlement expansion, and de facto annexation and threats to the Palestinian Authority continue to undermine the viability of a future Palestinian state,” — Action plan (Reuters)
What’s Next
The eight-point Call for Action will be delivered to G7 leaders convening in Évian-les-Bains later in June. French officials indicated that the conference outcomes will inform future sanctions, humanitarian assistance to Gaza, and diplomatic engagement with civil-society actors. Follow-up meetings between French authorities and the Latin Patriarchate are planned to advance Christian educational projects in Gaza.
