Former diplomats demand Britain and France punish Israel over Palestine More than 100 former British and French diplomats have called on Prime Minister Andy Burnham and President Emmanuel Macron to take sweeping action against Israel, accusing its government of destroying the prospects for a Palestinian state and demanding sanctions including trade and arms restrictions. In an extraordinary joint letter, signed by 52 former French diplomats and 50 former British ambassadors, the former officials say Palestine is “being erased before our eyes” and argue that Britain and France now have a responsibility to turn their recognition of a Palestinian state into concrete action. The intervention represents a significant escalation from diplomatic condemnation to demands for economic and military penalties. Among those signing are former senior British diplomats who served as ambassadors and UN envoys, alongside former French officials with extensive Middle East experience. From recognition to punishmentThe diplomats argue that both governments have already recognised Palestine and must now act to protect its right to self-determination. They want Britain and France to suspend their respective trade arrangements with Israel over alleged human-rights violations, halt arms transfers and bilateral military cooperation, and impose a ban on trade, investment and financial services connected with Israeli settlements. They also want companies considering involvement in the controversial E1 settlement project to be warned that participation could have consequences for their business interests in Britain and France. The E1 project, involving around 1,200 planned homes in the West Bank, has already triggered condemnation from Britain, France and other governments, which warned that the development could further undermine the prospects for a two-state solution. Gaza becomes the central battlegroundThe former diplomats also demand unrestricted humanitarian access to Gaza, with aid delivered through UN agencies and international NGOs. They are calling for journalists, diplomats and parliamentarians to be given access to the territory. Their letter describes the humanitarian situation in Gaza in stark terms and accuses Israel of pursuing a systematic policy of destruction. The diplomats acknowledge the “heinous crimes” committed by Hamas on October 7, 2023, but insist that those attacks cannot justify Israel’s subsequent military campaign. They also accuse Israeli authorities of allowing settlement expansion, house demolitions and settler violence in East Jerusalem and the West Bank to continue, describing this as ethnic cleansing. Israel has rejected such accusations and argues that its military actions are necessary for national security. A warning over Israel’s democratic credentialsThe former officials go further than conventional diplomatic criticism by arguing that Israel’s conduct is damaging its international reputation as a democracy. They say that denying Palestinians their rights and land is incompatible with democratic principles and warn that the policy of occupation and destruction is ultimately damaging Israel’s own security. That argument is likely to prove particularly controversial in London and Paris, where governments have traditionally sought to balance support for Israel’s security with pressure for a negotiated two-state settlement. Palestinians also face demandsThe signatories do not spare the Palestinian leadership. They argue that Palestinians must build a democratic, law-abiding state and say Gaza and the West Bank should eventually be reunited politically, administratively and economically. They describe the Palestinian political leadership as “unrepresentative and dysfunctional” and say elections due in November must produce democratic renewal. But they insist the immediate focus must remain on Israel, arguing that its policies are preventing any viable Palestinian state from emerging. Pressure now shifts to Burnham and MacronThe letter puts Burnham and Macron in an increasingly difficult position. Both Britain and France have condemned Israeli settlement expansion and recognised Palestine, but the former diplomats argue that statements and diplomatic warnings are no longer sufficient. Their demands would represent a major shift towards direct economic and military pressure on Israel. The timing is significant. The intervention comes as negotiations over Gaza remain deeply strained and Israel has rejected the latest US-backed peace proposal, while regional governments have warned that Israeli actions are undermining attempts to secure a lasting settlement. For Burnham and Macron, the question is now whether recognition of Palestine remains largely symbolic — or whether Britain and France are prepared to impose the kind of penalties these former diplomats are demanding. SOURCE
Create an account or sign in to comment