PARTNERS: JEF EUROPE, JEF Germany, JEF Italy, UEF, Democracy & Federalism hub (IL-PAL)

FUNDING: Council of Europe, European youth foundation EYF

The Federalist Peace Forum is an initiative born form the encounter between European Federalists and Israeli and Palestinian activists. The Federalist Peace Forum is an initiative born from the encounter between European federalists and Israeli and Palestinian activists. The project emerged from a collaboration initiated after the tragic events of October 7, 2023, and is structured around a seven-month activity plan divided into four phases. The main goal is to create a space for training, dialogue, and exchange among young Israelis and Palestinians, aimed at jointly developing innovative and shared peace proposals capable of overcoming the current deadlock represented by the two-state solution alone. Through the lens of federalist thought—which opposes nationalism and promotes a positive and lasting peace—the initiative seeks to spark a path of hope in the heart of a devastating conflict, opening the door to new solutions, including a federal one.

The project begins with a series of online meetings dedicated to mutual understanding and brainstorming, serving as preparation for the first in-person encounter. This second phase will consist of a true Peace Forum to be held on the island of Ventotene.

It is in this symbolic place—where more than eighty years ago the foundations of European unity were laid amidst the ravages of war—that young Israelis and Palestinians will gather to envision a possible peace for their lands. During the Forum, the focus will be on training and capacity-building sessions, culminating in the drafting of a unified peace document.

On the island of Ventotene — one of the birthplaces of European integration thanks to the peace initiative centered on the Ventotene Manifesto — participants will take part in a four-day programme composed of training sessions focused on both methodology and content. At the end of the activities on the island, participants will be encouraged to draft a joint commitment document for peace, which will serve as a guiding framework for their future actions. Six working sessions will take place over the course of four days, as outlined below:

• Session 1: Peacebuilding activities based on the personal experiences of participants;
• Session 2: Main challenges of the conflict and the current situation on the ground;
• Session 3: Polarization of society and barriers to dialogue: how to overcome them;
• Session 4: Federalism as a peace concept: origins and successful case studies;
• Session 5: Federalism and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict: how can it be adapted?
• Session 6: Planning for the future: local actions and organizing the two federalist groups.

The opening took place on September 7 with a round table at the Ventotene Town Hall, attended by Mayor Carmine Caputo and representatives of the organizations.

On Thursday, September 11, at 11:30 a.m., the participants will present at the Italian Senate in Rome the outcomes and proposals that emerged from the Forum, in a public event open to dialogue and constructive exchange.

The UEF will be represented by Antonio Argenziano, UEF Treasurer and former JEF Europe President, and Diletta Alese, FC Member.