Paris Peace Conference

As a sequel to a meeting of foreign ministers on June 3, 2016, the conference brings 70 representatives together, but neither Palestinians nor Israelis to give collective endorsement to a two-state solution to the Palestinian-Israeli impasse. PM Netanyahu calls the conference an attempt to “force terms on Israel that conflict with our national needs.” The Declaration ending the conference states, “the participants met… [to] reaffirm their support for a just, lasting and comprehensive resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict…reaffirmed that a negotiated solution with two states, Israel and Palestine, living side by side in peace and security, is the only way to achieve enduring peace.” PA President Mahmoud Abbas endorses this declaration to be a starting point, for all countries, to force Israel to end settlements.  The conference’s impact on Palestinian-Israeli negotiations is negligible, with eyes focused on possible policies in the in-coming Trump administration in the US.