More than 100 former British and French diplomats have signed a joint letter accusing Israel of ethnic cleansing and calling for urgent measures, including trade and arms sales bans, to press Israel to accept a Palestinian state.
Key facts
- More than 100 former French and British diplomats signed a joint open letter.
- The letter accuses Israel of ethnic cleansing and says Palestine is being erased.
- Demands include suspending the EU-Israel association agreement and the UK-Israel trade and partnership agreement.
- The signatories call for a suspension of arms transfers and all bilateral military cooperation.
- The letter urges unrestricted UN-led aid access to Gaza and a ban on trade with settlements.
More than 100 French and British former diplomats have said Palestine is being erased in front of the world’s eyes and called for urgent action, including trade and arms sales bans, to press Israel to accept a Palestinian state, according to the Guardian.
The joint letter, addressed to French President Emmanuel Macron and Burnham, dispenses with diplomatic language by accusing Israel of ethnic cleansing and warning that the world no longer sees Israel as a genuine democracy, the Guardian reported. The Guardian described the letter as unprecedented.
Among the measures demanded, the letter calls on the two governments to uphold the decisions of the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court, and to suspend the EU-Israel association agreement and the UK-Israel trade and partnership agreement for breach of human rights provisions.
The signatories also urge a suspension of arms transfers to and from Israel and all bilateral military cooperation. They insist on unrestricted aid access to Gaza, led by the UN Relief and Works Agency, other UN agencies and international NGOs, with consequences for non-compliance, and access too for journalists, diplomats and parliamentarians.
The letter further calls for a ban on all trade with settlements, including goods, investment, insurance and other financial services. It warns potential bidders for the ‘red line’ E1 settlement or other settlement financing or construction that their interests in and with the UK and France will suffer.
In addition, the signatories want it made an offence for British and French citizens to buy property on what the letter describes as stolen Palestinian land, and they call for the removal of charitable status from bodies funding settlements. Al Jazeera reported that the open letter demands a ban on arms transfers and a freeze on the EU-Israel and UK-Israel trade agreements.
Why it matters
The letter reflects growing pressure from experienced diplomatic figures for European governments to take concrete measures over the situation in Gaza and the West Bank. Its blunt language, accusing Israel of ethnic cleansing, marks a notable departure from standard diplomatic caution and adds to the debate over international recognition of a Palestinian state.
Frequently asked questions
Who signed the letter and to whom was it sent?
According to the Guardian, more than 100 former French and British diplomats signed the joint letter, which was addressed to French President Emmanuel Macron and Burnham.
What specific measures does the letter demand?
The letter calls for suspending the EU-Israel and UK-Israel trade agreements, halting arms transfers and military cooperation, ensuring unrestricted UN-led aid access to Gaza, banning trade with settlements, and removing charitable status from bodies funding settlements.
What accusation does the letter make against Israel?
The letter accuses Israel of ethnic cleansing and says Palestine is being erased in front of the world's eyes, warning that the world no longer sees Israel as a genuine democracy, according to the Guardian.