“We are joining those voices sounding a warning call: the two-state solution is at risk of collapse.”

Returning from a recent Elders visit to the Middle East, Gro Harlem Brundtland argues that the upcoming Palestinian bid for non-member observer state status at the UN General Assembly is an opportunity to break the current stalemate – and an important step towards securing peace for the region.

With the Fatah-Hamas unity deal so far producing little meaningful change for most Palestinians, Lakhdar Brahimi argues that the parties must commit to working together in order to rebuild Gaza, hold credible elections, and present a unified Palestinian voice on the international stage.

Fernando H Cardoso argues that the reconciliation agreement between Fatah and Hamas presents a new opportunity for Israel to negotiate with a unified Palestinian leadership – and ultimately to pursue a viable two-state solution with the Palestinians.

"Where is the outcry?" Jimmy Carter expresses his disappointment at the reluctance of political leaders to take bold action and argues that Arab countries have the potential to break the Middle East stalemate.

Lakhdar Brahimi recently chaired a panel discussion in London with two members of the Goldstone inquiry, Professor Christine Chinkin and Colonel Desmond Travers, a former member of Israel’s Knesset, Ami Ayalon, and Palestinian lawyer Karma Nabulsi. Here, he answers questions from the Elders’ team on some of the issues raised by the speakers and the audience.

Ahead of The Elders' visit to the Middle East, Gro Brundtland blogs about her long-standing engagement in the region and of her belief in dialogue as a precursor to peace.