Welcome back to This Week in Peace, our weekly roundup of global peacebuilding.
This week, we continue to cover events in Israel and Palestine, and the very real need for peace in the region as the danger of escalation remains. We also discuss the passing of Martti Ahtisaari, a former President of Finland and a notable participant in numerous peace processes. Finally, we cover continued efforts to end the war in Ukraine and the civil conflict in Colombia.
Israel-Palestine
Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza continues, following last week’s terrorist attacks. The Israeli siege of Gaza, and continued airstrikes, have led to a humanitarian crisis in the small, densely populated territory. Gaza’s medical facilities are under immense stress, and many face shortages of water, food, and power due to the Israeli blockade. Following a visit to Israel by U.S. President Joe Biden, a deal was reached to allow a small amount of aid through the Rafah border crossing. An Israeli ground invasion of Gaza appears imminent, and this agreement will not end the humanitarian crisis within Gaza. However, it is a positive development that can improve the situation for many Palestinian civilians on the ground, and a promising sign that future negotiations may be effective.
There is a desperate need for peace in the region, as fears grow of a potential escalation of the conflict. Following a blast at a Gaza hospital, a planned summit between Biden, the King of Jordan, and the Presidents of Egypt and the Palestinian Authority was canceled. For the conflict to end without further loss of life, peace talks are essential, and all sides must take risks for peace, following the example of past successful peace processes. In an encouraging sign for peace, relatives of those murdered and kidnapped in Hamas attacks on kibbutzim and a music festival called for peace. Despite the loss of their family and friends, and their own experiences during the horrific attacks, they have cautioned against seeking a purely military solution to the conflict.
You can read our past stories covering peacebuilding in this region here, and keep an eye out for future articles on this subject.
Remembering Martti Ahtisaari
Former Finnish President, and the 2008 Nobel Peace Prize laureate, Martti Ahtisaari, sadly passed away this week at the age of 86. Ahtisaari was a key player in negotiations that led to Namibian independence from apartheid-era South Africa, ending a long and destructive conflict. He was also a key player in supporting the Good Friday Agreemnt, and ending the Irish Republican Army (IRA)’s violent insurgency in Northern Ireland. Elected President of Finland in 1994, he remained an advocate for peace, helping to end fighting in the Balkans and in Aceh. In a time of increasing global tensions and seemingly constant conflict, people like Mr. Ahtisaari, who never stopped fighting for peace, are needed more than ever.
Zelensky Continues to Press “Peace Formula”
The Russian invasion of Ukraine continues, with no end to the fighting in sight. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky continues to work towards an agreement on his proposed “peace formula”, a 10-point plan to end the conflict. This week, Zelensky’s office confirmed plans to host a third conference of relevant officials from Ukraine and its allies. Russian airstrikes continue to hit Ukraine, and peace remains a distant prospect. However, the willingness of Zelensky to at least publicly work for peace is significant, considering the high death toll caused by Russia’s invasion.
You can read more of our coverage of Ukraine here, and we will continue to cover further developments as they happen.
Switzerland join Colombian Peace Talks
Switzerland recently announced that it was joining Norway, Venezuela, and Ireland as a guarantor country in the recent peace talks between Colombia and a group of FARC dissidents known as the Estado Mayor Centro (EMC). These talks, which Peace News has covered both in past articles and in previous editions of This Week in Peace, have been accompanied by a ceasefire and are an important step towards ending Colombia’s decades-long civil conflict. Switzerland has previously mediated other peace talks in Colombia, and this move is a positive sign that both sides are positively approaching these talks and are invested in their success. Colombian President Gustavo Petro has pursued a “total peace” agenda, which focuses on dialogue with all armed groups present in the country. There is growing optimism in Colombia that this strategy could lead to a new era of peace, and these talks and the accompanying ceasefire will be crucial.
For more information on Petro’s “total peace” agenda, read our recent story on the subject. You can also read more of our stories on Colombia here.
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