Thousands Join Tel Aviv Peace Summit as Support for 2-State Deal Falls to 23%
Updated
Updated · The Washington Post · Jun 14
Thousands Join Tel Aviv Peace Summit as Support for 2-State Deal Falls to 23%
1 articles · Updated · The Washington Post · Jun 14
Summary
Thousands of Jews and Arabs gathered in Tel Aviv for the third annual People’s Peace Summit, the first since ceasefires with Hamas, Hezbollah and Iran, to press for a diplomatic path out of the conflict.
The push comes as Israel’s peace camp has shrunk after Oct. 7 and years of war: 78% of Israeli Jews say the conflict harms the state, but only 26% back talks with the Palestinian Authority and 23% support a two-state solution.
Analysts and former officials said Benjamin Netanyahu’s long dominance, repeated failures since Oslo and public trauma after the 1,200 deaths in the Oct. 7 attack have helped delegitimize the idea of peace, especially among younger Israelis.
Summit speakers urged strengthening the Palestinian Authority, involving Arab states and pairing pressure on Hamas with a political alternative, though skeptics said any breakthrough still depends on leaders making hard choices.
With Israel due to hold elections in October and violence still flaring despite the truce, activists cast the gathering as a bid to revive a sidelined movement rather than evidence of an imminent settlement.
Netanyahu’s strategy of dividing Palestinians collapsed into war. Can rebuilding the Palestinian Authority now be the only path to lasting security?
As Israel’s youth shift overwhelmingly to the right, is the dream of a grassroots peace movement fading with its aging activists?
With international courts condemning Israel, why has its public abandoned the two-state solution, a cornerstone of past peace efforts?
2026 Israeli-Palestinian Peace Movement: Grassroots Resilience Amid Declining Two-State Support
Overview
The 2026 Tel Aviv Peace Summit, organized by the 'It's Time' coalition and over 80 grassroots organizations, became a powerful symbol of civil society's commitment to peace during a rare pause in ongoing conflict. The summit brought together diverse participants for policy discussions, art installations, and performances, with Israeli and Palestinian peacemakers sharing their visions for coexistence. The event culminated in stirring speeches and a concert by Dana International, where thousands united in song, highlighting the unifying power of cultural programming. Despite challenges, the summit showcased hope, dialogue, and the enduring resilience of those striving for peace.