Seven months into the war in Gaza: rethinking peace between Palestinians and Israelis

Rethinking the prevailing approach to peace between Palestinians and Israelis requires more than the symbolic recognition of Palestinian statehood; it means addressing the root causes of this conflict such as colonisation and occupation, as well as practical clarity on how to guarantee the Palestinians’ right to self-determination. Regional de-escalation cannot begin without a ceasefire in Gaza. In the long view, the desire to restore stability shared by most Middle Eastern countries should be seen as an opportunity to address the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The European Union (EU) can contribute to conflict resolution and peace by taking action against Israel’s war crimes, making the two-state solution more than an empty slogan and supporting regional de-escalation.