Over 100 former senior French and British diplomats have sent an unprecedented joint letter to the French President and the British Prime Minister, accusing Israel of ethnic cleansing and the erasure of Palestine. The signatories warn that the world no longer views Israel as a genuine democracy and accuse the nation of seeking to destroy any prospect of a viable, independent Palestinian state.
The diplomats are urging their governments to work together to uphold international law and the decisions of the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court. They call for a series of sanctions to safeguard the rule of law, including the suspension of the EU-Israel association agreement and the UK-Israel trade and partnership agreement for breaches of human rights provisions. Additionally, the letter demands a ban on arms transfers to and from Israel and the suspension of all bilateral military cooperation.
The proposal includes a ban on all trade with settlements, covering goods, investment, insurance, and other financial services. The diplomats suggest making it an offense for British and French citizens to purchase property on stolen Palestinian land and removing charitable status from organizations that fund settlements. They further insist on unrestricted aid access to Gaza, led by the UN Relief and Works Agency, other UN agencies, and international NGOs, with access also granted to journalists, diplomats, and parliamentarians.
These calls for action come as violence has surged in the West Bank, occupied by Israel since 1967, sparking international concern over the conduct of Israeli troops and settlers since the Gaza war began. Among the signatories of the letter is Sir Vincent Fean, a former British Consul-General in Jerusalem and current trustee of the Britain Palestine Project.