The European Union must urgently support a political shift toward a just and equal future for Palestinians and Israelis through a confederation of two sovereign states. Rooted in the principles of the Israeli-Palestinian movement A Land for All, this confederation-under the principles of two states in one homeland-is based on full political equality, mutual recognition, freedom of movement, shared Jerusalem, and a return mechanism for refugees through cooperation-not separation. As the war devastates the lives of Palestinians and Israelis, and as Jewish and Palestinian communities around the world reel from pain, fear, and grief, we believe Europe must act with courage and clarity. A Land for All is a political movement that includes Palestinians and Israelis from across the homeland

The ongoing cycle of war, occupation, and displacement has reached a political and moral breaking point. The continued support-whether implicit or explicit-of the international community for the status quo has allowed deepening violence, impunity, and authoritarianism to flourish. It is no longer enough to condemn atrocities or express support for a “two-state solution” in the abstract. What is needed is concrete backing for a new political horizon: one rooted in justice, dignity, and the shared humanity of both peoples.

The confederation model-two states in one homeland-offers this horizon. It is a practical, deeply considered framework created by Palestinians and Israelis working together, grounded in international law and present-day realities. Based on our commitment to international law and recognition of the realities on the ground, we offer a pragmatic path forward: both peoples feel a deep connection to the land—and that will not change. This connection must be acknowledged, and any political process must begin from the current reality, not from the diplomatic frameworks of thirty years ago.

This model addresses the longstanding deadlocks-water, settlements, refugees, and Jerusalem-not by postponing them, but by offering pragmatic, cooperative solutions from day one. It is grounded in the reality of intertwined lives and deep interdependence between Palestinians and Israelis-in the economy, climate, natural resources, Jerusalem, and the homeland itself. Even security and regional integration depend on mutual cooperation rather than control. A Land for All provides a realistic, future-oriented framework that responds to these shared challenges and connections.

Without entering into precise formulations, we wish to affirm and strengthen what has already been said: the connection between defending the system of international laws and human rights—and defending the rights of Palestinians to liberty and self-determination, which the international community has long failed to guarantee. There can be no true international stability without rights for Palestinians; this vacuum undermines the entire international system.

We believe it is the duty of the European Union-historically, politically, and morally-to lead in supporting this shift. Europe has experienced the devastation of nationalist conflict and the power of integration. The EU was built on the promise that shared sovereignty and cooperation can replace war. That lesson must now be applied beyond its borders, especially in a region where Europe has long played a decisive role.

A confederation is the only realistic foundation for long-term security, economic development, welfare, and environmental sustainability for both Israelis and Palestinians. It can prevent further cycles of dehumanization and ensure that both peoples can live in dignity and peace. Continuing to support governments that prioritize expansion, occupation, and control over life and equality is a betrayal of Europe’s foundational values.

We call on the European Union to take a principled and courageous stand for peace, justice, and equality in the shared homeland of both Israelis and Palestinians. This means publicly endorsing the confederation model-“Two States, One Homeland”-as a viable, just, and visionary alternative to the crumbling status quo. It means recognizing the State of Palestine not as a symbolic gesture, but as a transformative step toward ending the occupation and enabling equal sovereignty. It means using Europe’s economic and diplomatic influence to take immediate and drastic measures to stop the war and annexation, and incentivize concrete steps toward equality, including support for bi-national cooperation. It means providing robust support to grassroots and civil society initiatives that promote peace, democratic resistance, shared governance, mutual recognition, and the hard work of transitional justice. This is not a time for silence or ambiguity. The EU must take a stand: for peace over domination, for equality over oppression, for a future shared by both peoples and rooted in justice. The era of neutrality is over. The moment for European leadership is now!

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Coordinators of the Declaration:

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Sari Hanafi, Professor of Sociology, American University Beirut

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Samuel Moyn, Professor of Law and History, Yale University

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Thomas Piketty, Professor of Economy, École des hautes études en science sociales-Paris School of Economics

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Gisèle Sapiro, Professor of Sociology, École des hautes études en science sociales-CNRS

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Contact for the Declaration: sapiro@ehess.fr

Contact for more info on A land for all:

Prof. Yaël Berda: yael.berda@mail.huji.ac.il

Read about the declaration in the media:
Le Monde | Maanews | An Nahar | La Libre