World leaders of the past initiating attempts for Middle East peace
Mary Robinson, a renowned advocate for peace, justice, and human rights, is currently serving as a member of The Elders - a group of independent global leaders founded by Nelson Mandela in 2007. Robinson, who prefers to be called by her first name, has visited the Middle East multiple times, including in 2023.
In her role as an Elder, Robinson is actively working towards a peaceful and just resolution in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Her recent visit to Egypt and the Rafah border crossing in August 2025 was aimed at supporting urgent international action to end impunity, uphold international law, and promote the recognition of the State of Palestine as a crucial step toward achieving a viable two-state solution.
Robinson emphasises the necessity of collective action to apply international law and articulate a path that engages both Israelis and Palestinians towards a secure and hopeful future. She is deeply concerned about the ongoing violence and suffering in the region and believes that immediate action is required to address these issues[1][4][5].
During her visits, Robinson has expressed grave concerns about the direction of the Israeli government and the empowerment of settlers under a very extremist government. She has also stated that Israel is deliberately starving the Palestinian people, a claim that underscores the urgency of her mission[2][3].
Robinson has also called on world leaders, notably President Trump and President Biden, to take a more active role in resolving the conflict. She believes that both leaders have the power to put pressure on Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, with Trump having the potential to stop the supply of armaments to Israel and thus halt the war[6][7].
Former Israeli military and diplomats have also pleaded with President Trump to stop the war, further highlighting the need for international intervention[8]. Robinson's primary goal, as a member of The Elders, remains to help bring about a fair and just peace in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict[9].
[1] https://www.theelders.org/news/press-release/mary-robinson-and-the-elders-visit-gaza-to-see-the-amount-of-food-blocked-and-the-problems-with-aid-delivery [2] https://www.theelders.org/news/mary-robinson-expresses-concern-about-empowerment-of-settlers-under-a-very-extremist-government [3] https://www.theelders.org/news/mary-robinson-israel-deliberately-starving-palestinian-people [4] https://www.theelders.org/news/mary-robinson-calls-for-international-action-to-end-violence-and-uphold-international-law [5] https://www.theelders.org/news/mary-robinson-visits-middle-east-to-further-peace-efforts [6] https://www.theelders.org/news/mary-robinson-calls-on-president-trump-to-stop-the-war [7] https://www.theelders.org/news/mary-robinson-president-biden-has-no-idea-how-to-put-pressure-on-netanyahu [8] https://www.theelders.org/news/former-israeli-military-and-diplomats-plead-with-president-trump-to-stop-the-war [9] https://www.theelders.org/news/the-elders-primary-goal-is-to-help-bring-about-a-fair-and-just-peace-in-the-israeli-palestinian-conflict
- In her capacity as an Elder, Mary Robinson is advocating for the international community to take decisive action, including President Trump and President Biden, to exert pressure on Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, aiming to end the violent political stalemate in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
- Robinson's missions to the Middle East underscore the urgency of addressing the Israeli government's alleged actions, such as empowering settlers and deliberately starving the Palestinian people, which fuel the ongoing war-and-conflicts in the region.
