Practical information
The event is free, but registration is required.
Sign up using the form below and you will receive a link the same day as the online meeting.
The war in Gaza has created a humanitarian catastrophe and profound political consequences across the Middle East and beyond. At the same time, it has confronted the European Union with difficult questions: how to respond to the humanitarian crisis, how to engage diplomatically with the parties to the conflict, and what role the EU can realistically play in future governance and reconstruction efforts?
The EU has been deeply divided over its response. While 17 member states have called for stronger measures, including a suspension of the EU-Israel Association Agreement, others have opposed such steps, making it impossible for the bloc to agree on a united response. These divisions have led to accusations that the EU applies different standards in its responses to Israel and Russia.
Unlike its response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the EU has not imposed broad economic sanctions, trade restrictions or an effective arms-embargo on Israel. EU sanctions have mostly been directed at violent Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank.
Still, the EU remains one of the biggest donors of financial aid to Palestine and supports a two-state solution. What role can and should the EU play when the war in Gaza comes to an end?
This event brings together two experienced peacebuilders who have spent years working on conflict transformation, dialogue, and regional cooperation in Israel and Palestine.
Huda Abuarqoob is a peacebuilder, feminist activist, and policy strategist with more than two decades of experience in conflict transformation and Middle East diplomacy. Until recently, she served as Country Director for Search for Common Ground in Palestine, where she led peacebuilding programmes that empowered women, young people, and local communities to build trust across divides. Today, she works as an independent consultant on governance, justice, gender, and inclusive diplomacy.
Liel Maghen is a Policy Fellow at Mitvim – The Israeli Institute for Regional Foreign Policies. With more than 15 years of experience in peacebuilding and international development, he has worked extensively on Israeli-Palestinian cooperation, environmental diplomacy, and regional development. His current work focuses on post-war reconstruction, governance, and sustainable financing for conflict-affected societies.
Together, they will discuss:
- the current situation in Gaza
- the difficult questions surrounding “the day after” in Gaza
- the European Union’s role as a diplomatic actor, humanitarian donor, and partner in reconstruction
- the opportunities and limits of European engagement in one of the world’s most enduring conflicts.
The discussion will be moderated by Kasper Tonsberg Schlie from DEO and will include time for questions from the audience.
