Paris , 23 August – One hundred and two former senior diplomats from France and the United Kingdom have called for joint sanctions against Israel, expressing concern that settlement expansion and continued violence in the Palestinian territories are undermining the possibility of establishing an independent Palestinian state.
In an open letter published in the French newspaper Le Monde on Saturday, the former diplomats urged France and the UK to take tougher joint action to uphold international law.
Among the signatories were former UK ambassadors to the United Nations Jeremy Greenstock and Emily Jones Parry.
The letter accused Israeli forces and police of supporting the demolition of Palestinian homes and said continued settler violence amounted to ethnic cleansing. It also argued that Israel is no longer viewed by the world as a genuine democracy.
Former UK ambassador to Iran, Qatar and Yemen Nicholas Hopton told Al Jazeera that the diplomats’ claims were based on assessments by international legal and humanitarian bodies, including the United Nations, rather than being their own assumptions.
Sanctions demanded by former diplomats
The former diplomats called on France and the UK to take several specific measures against Israel:
End arms and military cooperation: Immediately suspend all arms trade and military cooperation with Israel.
Suspend trade agreements: Halt the EU-Israel and UK-Israel bilateral trade agreements.
Boycott illegal settlements: Ban all business dealings with Israeli settlements considered illegal and prevent their citizens from purchasing property in occupied Palestinian territories.
Ensure humanitarian and media access: Guarantee direct humanitarian aid to Gaza through the UN agency UNRWA and allow journalists and diplomats independent access to the territory.
Call to end double standards
The letter also highlighted the historical role of France and the UK in determining the borders of the region after World War I, arguing that both countries therefore have a particular responsibility.
The former diplomats warned that failure to hold those responsible for international crimes accountable would reinforce accusations that Western countries apply double standards.
France and the UK formally recognized the State of Palestine in 2025. The former diplomats argued that recognition should now be backed by concrete punitive measures to prevent further Israeli aggression and give practical meaning to the recognition of a Palestinian state.
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