International Peace Conference at the GIGA in Hamburg to Address Israeli–Palestinian Conflict

Hamburg, Germany, 16 July 2025 – From 7 to 9 July, the International Peace Conference “Exploring Solutions to the Israeli–Palestinian Conflict” brought together two delegations of Israeli and Palestinian citizens as well as experts from politics and academia to engage in dialogue, negotiation, and the exploration of actionable solutions to the protracted conflict. The event was facilitated by Dr. Sapir Handelman (Minds of Peace) and Prof. Mohammed S. Dajani (Wasatia) and hosted by GIGA experts Dr. Christiane Fröhlich and Prof. Eckart Woertz at the German Institute for Global and Area Studies / Leibniz-Institut für Globale und Regionale Studien (GIGA) in Hamburg (Germany). Amidst the shifting dynamics since 7 October 2023 – a pivotal moment in the history of the conflict – this People’s Peace Assembly provided a rare opportunity for Israelis and Palestinians to meet and try to chart a path toward stability and peace. The central mission was to reach two agreements within three days: the “Startup Agreement” to identify immediate practical steps to build working trust among stakeholders, and the “Peace Pact” to identify long-term solutions, focusing on core issues such as ceasefires, the status of Jerusalem, borders, security arrangements, and reconciliation. In three intense days of dialogue, negotiation, and exchange of ideas, the two delegations reached these two agreements, which together form the joint declaration describing a way to achieve a final peace agreement between Israelis and Palestinians. The declaration addresses the following key aspects: 

1. Israelis and Palestinians are entitled to live in peace, dignity and freedom. 

2. Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners should be released. 

3. Initiate a reconciliation and moderation (Wasatia) education programme. 

4. Land swap of 5% and secured borders. The Old City of Jerusalem will be an international zone. 

5. Agreement between the parties will end any future claims. 

Following the conference, Sapir Handelman and Mohammed Dajani see a clear outlook: “We are grateful for the hosting of the International Negotiating Conference at the GIGA. The agreement can serve as a framework for a master plan that fosters order, stability, and reconciliation. The next stage is to negotiate details and develop a road map for implementation.” 

“We were honoured to host the Peace Conference. We look forward to future collaboration and to contributing to finding a lasting solution,” emphasised Christiane Fröhlich and Eckart Woertz.

About People’s Peace Assemblies  This conference was one of the People’s Peace Assemblies that are organised by Minds of Peace and Wasatia in different locations around the world. Each assembly invites an Israeli delegation, a Palestinian delegation, and representatives of the international community to discuss, debate, and negotiate solutions to the Israeli–Palestinian conflict.

For more information and media inquiries, please contact:  Prof. Dr. Eckart Woertz  Director of the GIGA Institute for Middle East Studies  Phone: +49 (40) 42825-504 | Email: [email protected] 

Dr. Christiane Fröhlich Head of the GIGA Research Programme “Peace and Security”  Phone: +49 (40) 42825-621 | Email: [email protected] 

Dr. Sapir Handelman  Minds of Peace  Email: [email protected] 

Prof. Mohammed S. Dajani Wasatia Email: [email protected]  

Verena Schweiger Head of the Communications Department, GIGA  Phone: +49 (40) 42825-770 | Email: [email protected]