Israeli and Palestinian groups convene in France while two-state prospects face challenges

The gathering draws foreign ministers and senior officials from numerous nations one year after the UN-supported New York Declaration outlined steps toward Palestinian statehood

Israeli and Palestinian civil society organizations are set to gather in France on Friday, calling on the global community to sustain efforts toward a two-state solution even as the Middle East conflict persists and Paris works to maintain focus on the issue.

The event, which brings together foreign ministers and senior officials from dozens of countries, marks the first anniversary of the UN-backed New York Declaration that charted a path to Palestinian statehood and led roughly a dozen nations, including France, Britain and Canada, to recognize a Palestinian state.

France's Foreign Ministry spokesperson told reporters on Thursday that given the region's ongoing conflicts, high civilian toll and cycle of violence, plus the stalled Gaza ceasefire implementation, the conference is now more essential and urgent than ever.

The meeting will conclude with an eight-point Call for Action that presses for a permanent ceasefire, an end to settlements, reconstruction in Gaza, governance reforms and greater international support for civil society efforts.

The document will be presented to G7 leaders gathering in the French Alps starting Monday.

The action plan viewed by Reuters states that the region keeps fracturing, with Gaza devastated and Israel still facing threats, while settler terrorism, settlement growth and de facto annexation along with risks to the Palestinian Authority erode the chances for a viable Palestinian state.

It adds that Israelis and Palestinians alike stay caught in fear, insecurity and trauma, noting that as the G7 meets in Evian the conflict risks being sidelined once more, though the window for resolution stays open even if it narrows.

Western frustration rises over settler attacks

The conference occurs against rising violence by Israeli settlers in the West Bank and highlights frustration in many Western capitals with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government over settlement expansion.

Diplomats indicate the expansion seeks to weaken prospects for a Palestinian state.

One major worry involves Israel's plan for a settlement east of Jerusalem called the E1 project, which would split the West Bank and separate it from east Jerusalem, breaking up land Palestinians want for their own state.

Britain, Canada, France and Norway unveiled fresh joint sanctions on Tuesday targeting Israeli networks that finance, enable and carry out violence in the West Bank.

Israeli envoy calls conference unrelated to peace efforts

Israel and the United States chose not to participate in the meeting.

The Israeli embassy stated that the ambassador received an invitation but will skip the conference because it has nothing to do with advancing peace.

The statement added that France cannot serve as a mediator between Israel and the Palestinians, and recalled that Palestinians have turned down five prior proposals for establishing a Palestinian state.