Opening address by Jan van Zanen at the Peace Networking Event of the Arab-West Foundation and the Anna Lindh Foundation, 25 November 2024

Mr Ferré (Executive Director Anna Lindh Foundation),

Mr Vliegenthart (Chairman Arab-West Foundation),

Mr Hulsman (Director Arab-West Foundation),

Good evening everyone,

Thank you that we are gathered here tonight.

Meeting in the Humanity Hub for this Peace Networking Event that brings together Palestinian and Israeli leaders in civil society.

Many thanks to the Arab-West Foundation and the Anna Lindh Foundation who had the courage to organise this meeting.

Because, yes, in these times courage is certainly needed to call for peace and reconciliation.

The sorrow, the anger and the suffering is immense on both sides.

The horrors unimaginable.

The despair seems greater than ever.

But what else can we do than keep looking for peaceful ways to end the carnage?

The Hague, as international city of peace and justice, is pleased to offer a platform for that.

Certainly this year, in which we are marking the fact that it was in our city 125 years ago that the first peace conference was held.

More recently, in October, The Hague had the honour of welcoming another conference, one that was also dedicated to peace:

The World Council of United Cities and Local Governments.

Because local authorities and communities can play an important part in nurturing peaceful coexistence.

Both worldwide and close to home.

Something that I will also strive for in the international context over the next eleven months in my role as president of the UCLG.

I will further underline how important it is that as many different voices as possible are heard in peace processes.

Especially those of marginalised groups, women and young people.

The tragedy currently unfolding in the Middle East is also making itself felt here in our country and in our cities.

What matters now is ensuring that conflict is not imported but that peace is exported.

As mayor I see it as my task to help create an atmosphere, environment and climate in this city where we see and hear one another.

Where we recognize and acknowledge each other’s pain.

Because only then can we achieve dialogue and mutual understanding.

That starts by seeing our fellow citizens, first and foremost, as human beings and city residents, just like us.

And not as ‘other people’.

Let’s make every effort together to move beyond the ‘us-and-them’ thinking and strengthen the moderate middle.

In that spirit, I wish you a good meeting.