The Candid Foundation, based in Berlin, is an independent, non-profit think tank and project hub engaged in fostering intercultural understanding through initiatives focused on the Middle East, Africa, and the Mediterranean. Its work brings together civil society actors, media representatives, and cultural practitioners around dialogue, mediation and peacebuilding.

Within the EPICON initiative, the Foundation seeks to foster trilateral dialogue between Israeli, Palestinian, and European actors, with the aim of reassessing current dynamics and exploring concrete pathways for a renewed and meaningful European engagement towards lasting solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The session will feature interventions from a delegation of six distinguished experts in the field, who will share their insights and engage in a constructive discussion on possible pathways and actionable steps toward a political solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict:

– Huda Abuarqoob, peacebuilder and feminist activist
– Dr. Sufyan Abu Zaida, former Minister of Prisoner Affairs and former Deputy Minister
of the Ministry of Civil Affairs at the Palestinian Authority
– A Palestinian researcher in Peace and Conflict Resolution
– Dan Sobovitz, human rights activist and communication expert
– Mairav Zonszein, Senior Analyst on Israel-Palestine for the International Crisis Group
– Barak Talmor, Project Manager of “Jumpstarting Hope” in Gaza at the Arava Institute
for Environmental Studies (AIES)

This Lunch-time Discussion will provide a platform for open and thoughtful dialogue on the evolving situation in Gaza and the broader Middle East, with a particular focus on the urgent humanitarian challenges facing the region. The discussion will offer an opportunity to explore how European partners, including Belgium, can contribute meaningfully to the resolution of this crisis and to foster a dialogue on peace.

(Photo credit: Canva teams)