Israel and Palestine

How it started

The post-Oct. 7, 2024 environment has necessitated a return to a conflict resolution lens while maintaining a long-term perspective on Palestinian self-determination.

Our Work and Methods

• Hold dialogues that bring together civil society organizations, human rights defenders, youth groups, political parties, and other influential groups in Israel and Palestine to find pathways for the way forward. 
• Provide technical expertise in international law and democratic governance to help stakeholders address the evolving nature of the conflict. 

Our Impacts

• The Carter Center’s work on Palestinian reconciliation contributed indirectly to the Fatah-Hamas agreement reached in May 2011.
• In April 2008, President Carter narrowed the distance between Hamas and Israel on the truce in and around Gaza, convincing Hamas to drop its requirement that a truce in Gaza be tied to a truce in the West Bank, thus making the June 2008 cease-fire possible.

How it Started
The Carter Center has a long history of peacebuilding in Israel-Palestine, rooted in President Carter’s conviction that peace is impossible without equal rights for Palestinians and an end to the occupation.

Decades of occupation, deepening political divides, and shrinking civic space have denied Palestinians basic rights and safety, while violence and displacement continue to escalate. There is an urgent need for sustained support to civil society, inclusive governance, and accountability to international norms. 

Our Work and Methods
We advocate for a permanent ceasefire, urging all parties and the international community to condition security aid on
compliance with these norms. Our focus is on fostering an inclusive transitional governance process for Palestinians in Gaza, ensuring equal safety and rights for
both Israelis and Palestinians, alongside the end of occupation and support for a viable Palestinian state. We support all efforts to end forced displacement and the blockade of Gaza, advocating for unhindered access to humanitarian supplies and essential
Services. 

Our Impacts

• Supported Palestinian and Israeli civil society organizations with grants, training, and advocacy to strengthen resilience and amplify marginalized voices. 
• Continued support of interfaith dialogues to advocate for policy reform that will improve the lives of Palestinians.
• Built the capacity of young Palestinians—especially women and marginalized groups—through training in human rights, advocacy, and international engagement. 

How it started

The Carter Center has observed all Palestinian elections since 1996 and continues to support efforts to hold democratic, inclusive elections and to renew the democratic mandate of Palestinian political leaders.

Our Work and Methods

• Build consensus on critical election reforms by facilitating communication between key stakeholders
• Increase dialogue that contributes to political reconciliation of the major Palestinian political parties

Our Impacts

• In 2009, The Carter Center, in cooperation with The Arab Thought Forum and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), initiated an electoral reform project in Palestine, which was the only platform for dialogue between the political parties, including Fatah and Hamas, outside the Cairo reconciliation discussions. 
• In August 2010,  The Carter Center and the UNDP launched the Initiative on Dialogue, Consensus Building, and Civic Awareness in Palestine, which furthered support for electoral reform. 

How It Started

The Carter Center began observing Palestinian elections in 1996 to help ensure legitimacy and democratic processes. We monitored the 1996 elections for Palestinian Authority president and Legislative Council, the 2005 presidential elections following Yassir Arafat’s death, and the 2006 Legislative Council elections won by Hamas. Though conducted to international standards, these elections occurred under Israeli occupation constraints that limited Palestinians’ fundamental freedoms of assembly, movement, and speech.

Our Work and Methods

President Carter engaged directly with all parties, including Hamas officials, condemning attacks against civilians while working toward sustainable peace solutions. Recognizing that Hamas enjoys significant Palestinian support, Carter urged inclusive approaches rather than boycotts that undermine democratic institutions. The Carter Center facilitated dialogue between Hamas and Israel, helping broker a six-month Gaza cease-fire in June 2008. We continued monitoring Palestinian reconciliation efforts and supporting unity agreements with all stakeholders

Our Impacts

• The Carter Center’s mediation contributed to a 97% reduction in attacks during the 2008 Gaza cease-fire, though goods entering Gaza remained at only 27% of normal levels. 
• We advocated for extending the ceasefire before its December 2008 expiration. 
• Ongoing work supports Palestinian reconciliation agreements and monitors developments toward forming unified West Bank-Gaza governance and overseeing future elections.