While the Elders actively support international efforts to achieve a comprehensive settlement for Israelis and Palestinians, they do not act as mediators in this conflict. Working both publicly and privately, the Elders aim to build awareness and popular support for a just and secure peace for all.

As an independent group, they hope that by meeting ordinary people affected by the conflict and supporting those working for peace and reconciliation at the grassroots, they can:

• Highlight the human impact of the conflict;
• Help connect people’s concerns to leaders and policy-makers;
• Draw attention to neglected aspects of the conflict.

Peace-making needs the active, sustained involvement of all sectors of society – civil society, business, young people, women’s groups – supported by all international friends of peace and justice. That’s why the Elders themselves reach out to those civil society groups in Israel and the occupied Palestinian Territory who share their goals of a peaceful struggle for a two-state solution to the conflict, to support their work.

Mary Robinson meets President of Israel, Shimon Peres, August 2009

The Elders visited Israel and the West Bank to meet youth representatives, non-violent activists, women’s organisations, human rights experts and UN agencies, as well as Israeli and Palestinian officials. From both Israelis and Palestinians, they heard a consistent message that peace is possible and achievable.

On the delegation: Ela Bhatt, Gro Harlem Brundtland, Fernando Henrique Cardoso, Jimmy Carter, Mary Robinson and Desmond Tutu.

Download The Elders' trip report, People and Peace in the Middle East. This report examines the impact of the conflict on ordinary Israelis and Palestinians.

Mary Robinson and Lakhdar Brahimi speak to young people at a UN-run school in Gaza, August 2009

The Elders visited Israel, the West Bank and Gaza, Egypt, Jordan and Syria. They called for a more comprehensive approach to the Israeli-Palestinian peace talks following discussions with government officials, civil society, business leaders and young people. The Elders emphasised that ending the occupation of Palestinian land is the only way for Israel to achieve peace and enjoy normal relations with Palestinians and their Arab neighbours.

On the delegation: Ela Bhatt, Lakhdar Brahimi, Jimmy Carter and Mary Robinson.

Read their trip report, A Just and Secure Peace for All. This latest report calls for a greater sense of urgency to bring about a peace based on international law.

Jimmy Carter meets Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Ramallah, October 2012

The Elders visited Israel, the West Bank and Egypt to draw attention to the imperilled two-state solution. After meeting Israeli and Palestinian political leaders, civil society, and humanitarian and human rights experts they warned that the situation was veering towards a disastrous one-state outcome, and called for a fresh approach to stimulate negotiations between the Israelis and Palestinians.

On the delegation: Gro Harlem Brundtland, Jimmy Carter and Mary Robinson.

Read the live blog from the visit.