Israeli Political Advisors Engage with Key Leaders in London, Belfast, and Dublin: Lessons from the Irish Peace Process, 28-31 October 2024
From 28-31 October, we facilitated a cross-party delegation of Israeli political advisors from Likud, New Hope, Otzma Yehudit, Shas, and Yesh Atid, to engage with key figures instrumental in the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement. This visit provided a unique opportunity for the delegation to draw lessons from the Irish peace process and consider how they might address similar issues within their own context.
Dialogue with Unionist Leaders and Former British Ambassador to Israel at St George’s House, Windsor, 28-29 October
Over two days of in-depth discussions at St. George’s House, senior unionist leaders from Northern Ireland and a former British ambassador to Israel shared their perspectives, exploring the complexities of peacebuilding. The meeting explored the roots of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, potential pathways to peace, and the influence of religion within the conflict. Northern Irish leaders reflected on the compromises, power-sharing arrangements, and difficult decisions they confronted in establishing and sustaining an imperfect yet enduring peace.
Discussions with MPs and Senior Foreign Office Officials in London, 29 October
The delegation met with a group of MPs in Westminster from both the Labour and Conservative parties, and with senior officials from the Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (FCDO) in London. The discussion provided an opportunity for the group to explore the British position on the conflict.
Meetings with US and Northern Irish Officials, and Former Combatants in Belfast, 30 October
In Belfast, the delegation participated in a tour of the city’s ‘peace lines’ and met with former combatants, as well as with US and Northern Irish officials. These discussions emphasised the importance of an inclusive process to work towards sustained peace, the crucial role the US played in brokering the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement, and the lessons drawn from Northern Ireland’s transition toward stability.
Israel-Palestine Shankill Falls Mural
Dialogue with a Former Taoiseach and Department of Foreign Affairs Representatives in Dublin, 31 October
The delegation met with a former Taoiseach, and representatives from the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs in Dublin to discuss the political courage required to achieve lasting peace and the importance of involving all parties in the negotiation process. These discussions offered the Israeli political advisors valuable insights into the process behind the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement, highlighting its successes and the lessons learned.
