The Israel-Palestine conflict: how can security governance lay the foundations for stability?

Amid the ongoing Gaza war, threat to regional stability, deepening political fragmentation among Palestinian actors, and shifting political dynamics in Israel, addressing security sector governance challenges has become increasingly urgent. Without a minimum level of stability, the space for a sustainable and just peace continues to shrink. In the absence of a clear political horizon for the Israel-Palestine conflict, immediate stabilization efforts should be undertaken, focusing on good governance approaches that are embedded within a broader vision for lasting peace.

This panel will explore and discuss how governance-based approaches can contribute to peace and stability in the current volatile context. Drawing on Palestinian, regional and international perspectives, including those of organisations based in Palestine, Qatar and Switzerland, the discussion will examine the prospects for building stability through security governance in the context of the Israel Palestine conflict. It will consider how inclusive, accountable, and locally rooted governance of the security sector may help rebuild trust, strengthen institutions, and support peace efforts that reflect local ownership. 

The panel will also explore the conditions necessary for such approaches to succeed and how they can complement broader efforts to resolve the conflict. With the two-state solution still endorsed by key international actors, albeit impacted by the conflict, the discussion will focus on practical, context-sensitive strategies that link governance, security, and peacebuilding in pursuit of a more just and stable future for the region.