More Than 100 Former Diplomats Urge France, UK to Impose Sanctions on Israel
PARIS: A total of 102 former diplomats from France and the United Kingdom (UK) have urged both countries to impose joint sanctions on Israel, arguing that Israel’s policies in the occupied Palestinian territories threaten the prospects of establishing a future Palestinian state.
In an open letter published by the newspaper Le Monde, the group called on Paris and London to act together to uphold international law in Palestine and ensure equal rights for both Israelis and Palestinians.
Among the signatories were former UK ambassadors to the United Nations (UN), Jeremy Greenstock and Emyr Jones Parry, as well as several former senior French diplomats with extensive experience in the Middle East.
They claimed that the demolition of Palestinian homes and violence by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank have further worsened the situation and could undermine the prospects of a two-state solution.
Former UK Ambassador to Iran, Qatar and Yemen, Nicholas Hopton, said the statements in the letter were based on assessments by international bodies and UN agencies monitoring the situation in the Palestinian territories.
According to him, the main concern at present is the expansion of Israel’s illegal settlements in the West Bank, which could prevent the creation of a viable Palestinian state.
Another signatory, former UK Ambassador to Libya, Peter Millett, said it is time for Western governments to take stronger action rather than merely issuing statements of condemnation.
He called for measures such as suspending trade agreements with Israel, halting arms transfers, and increasing humanitarian aid to Gaza.
The letter also proposed banning trade with Israeli settlements in the occupied territories, prohibiting the purchase of property on occupied Palestinian land, and guaranteeing humanitarian access to Gaza through UN agencies.
The authors of the letter stressed that France and the UK, both of which recognised the State of Palestine in 2025, should follow that recognition with more concrete action.
They also emphasised that those responsible for war crimes and crimes against humanity must be held accountable, regardless of which side is involved.
At the same time, the letter urged the Palestinian leadership to strengthen governance and ensure that the State of Palestine recognised by the international community remains democratic and adheres to the rule of law.
AGENSI