From March 2nd to 3rd, JEF Europe hosted a delegation of young activists from Palestine and Israel at the European Parliament. Together, we presented the “Federalist Peace Forum” initiative and our federal vision to overcome the challenges of the traditional two-state approach. Hosted by European Parliament Vice-President Pina Picierno, we held a panel debate with policy-makers, held individual meetings with European decision-makers and organised academic and civil society roundtables to present our youth-led proposals for a just and democratic peace in the region.

Co-funded by the Council of Europe, the Federalist Peace Forum is an initiative born from the encounter between young European federalists and Israeli and Palestinian activists after the tragic events of October 2023. Over the past six months, participants have drafted a joint declaration, presented it in the Italian Senate and the German Bundestag, and held in-person meetings in Ventotene and Bayt Jala to deepen dialogue and co-create federalist solutions.

During the presentation in Brussels, the young activists showcased the work of two new regional organisations: Democracy and Federalism Hub Palestine (DFH) and Federal Future Israel (FF). Both groups created a joint Federal Charter that guarantees equality, freedom of movement, and shared institutions for all communities between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea, while rejecting nationalism and violence as political tools.

MEPs  emphasised the importance of supporting civil society actors who are willing to think beyond the status quo. Vice-President Pina Picierno underlined that the European Parliament has a responsibility to back those who believe that democracy and federalism are stronger than weapons, while other speakers stressed that innovative options such as federal models are essential when the two-state solution seems increasingly unworkable.

The Federalist Peace Forum will continue its journey with local actions in the region and in Europe, building a broader movement of young federalists committed to peace, justice, and a shared future for Israelis and Palestinians.

 

Contact: Dvir Aviam Ezra & Federico Tosi