ÉVIAN, FRANCE — Israeli and Palestinian civil society groups are meeting in Évian, France, to urge international support for a two-state solution. The conference, which marks the anniversary of the U.N.-backed New York Declaration, will produce an eight-point "Call for Action."

Foreign ministers and senior officials from dozens of countries are attending the conference. "Given the current situation in the region, marked by seemingly endless conflicts, too many civilian casualties and a cycle of violence, and in light of the stalled implementation of the Gaza ceasefire, we believe this conference is now more essential and urgent than ever," said a spokesperson for France's Foreign Ministry. The New York Declaration outlines a roadmap toward Palestinian statehood. Approximately a dozen countries, including France, the U.K., and Canada, have recognized a Palestinian state.

The "Call for Action" plan includes calls for a permanent ceasefire, a halt to settlements, Gaza reconstruction, governance reforms, and increased international support for civil society. This plan will be delivered to G7 leaders. "The region continues to fracture. Gaza is devastated, Israel remains under threat. Settler terrorism, settlement expansion, and de facto annexation and threats to the Palestinian Authority continue to undermine the viability of a future Palestinian state," according to the conference action plan. "Israelis and Palestinians alike remain trapped in fear, insecurity, and trauma. We return because, as the G7 convenes in Évian, this conflict risks once again being set aside. The window for a solution remains open; but it is narrowing," according to the conference action plan.

Israel and the U.S. both declined to attend the conference. Violence by Israeli settlers in the West Bank has increased. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government has expanded settlements and plans to construct the E1 settlement east of Jerusalem. The E1 project would bisect the West Bank and cut it off from East Jerusalem. Meanwhile, the U.K., Canada, France, and Norway announced coordinated sanctions against Israeli networks involved in financing and carrying out violence in the West Bank.

"France cannot act as a mediator between Israel and the Palestinians," said an Israeli embassy spokesperson. "The ambassador was invited but will not attend the conference, as it has nothing to do with promoting peace," the spokesperson said. "Regarding the two-state solution, the ambassador recalls that the Palestinians have rejected proposals to establish a Palestinian state on five occasions," the spokesperson said.