Role of civil society in post-Gaza diplomacy

By Brian Reeves
Euractiv
Dec 2, 2025
 

"The international community now has more opportunities than ever to effect swift progress in changing attitudes on the ground and building Israeli-Palestinian peace. Civil society has shown itself to be more willing than ever to work together, buying time for the international community and improving the chances of building diplomatic momentum…

"NGOs had the chance to submit project proposals earlier this month and the response was overwhelming: twice the number normally seen in similar EU or US calls before the war. Importantly, this confirms that peacebuilding communities were resilient during the war and are more ready than ever to complement – and indeed catalyze – the emerging diplomatic process…

"Palestinians and Israelis are painfully aware that the status quo has failed them. In such a moment, the ideas that take hold – whether constructive or destructive – will shape the future for a generation. Diplomacy and reconstruction alone cannot carry what comes next. Civil society stands ready to build the ground game that turns political frameworks into lived reality.

"It is time for the international community to meet them halfway.” 

Brian Reeves is director of strategic relations for the Alliance for Middle East Peace (ALLMEP).

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Empowering the next generation of American, Israeli, and Palestinian change-makers to embrace better, together.

אנחנו מכנסים הוגים מובילים, פעילים חברתיים, ומחוללי שינוי לעתיד, אמריקאים, ישראלים ופלסטינאים, המחויבים לשיפור החברות שלהם.

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