More than 100 former French and British diplomats have signed a joint letter urging urgent action, including trade and arms sales bans, to compel Israel to accept a Palestinian state. The letter, addressed to French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Andy Burnham, argues that Palestine is being 'erased' and accuses Israel of ethnic cleansing.
The signatories, comprising 52 French former diplomats and 50 British former ambassadors, many with experience in the Middle East, contend that their countries have a responsibility to ensure 'equal rights for Israeli and Palestinians'. They note that both Britain and France recognised Palestine as a state in 2025.
The letter calls for seven policy steps, including upholding decisions of the international courts, suspending the EU-Israel association agreement and the UK-Israel trade and partnership agreement, and halting arms transfers to and from Israel. It also advocates for unrestricted aid access to Gaza and a ban on trade with settlements.
This appeal follows a statement two days prior by the UK, France, and nine other countries condemning Israel's publication of construction tenders for the E1 settlement project. The UK Foreign Secretary, Ed Miliband, described the tenders for 1,200 homes as a 'destructive threat' to a two-state solution.