Former envoys urge joint French, UK action on Palestinian territories

A group of 102 former senior French and British diplomats has called on their governments to collaborate on upholding international law in the Palestinian territories. In a letter published in Le Monde, the signatories accused Israel of actively working to "destroy any prospect of an independent Palestinian state" and demonstrating disregard for legal rulings and UN resolutions.

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Our two nations believe that those responsible for war crimes and crimes against humanity must be held to account. Only then can our governments rebut the accusation of double standards. That is why they must act together to uphold international law in Palestine.

The former envoys, including ex-ambassadors to the UN Jeremy Greenstock and Emyr Jones Parry, and former Middle East directors at the French foreign ministry, emphasized the historic roles of France and the UK in the region. They argued that joint action is crucial, especially given both nations recognized a Palestinian state in 2025 and believe those responsible for war crimes must be held accountable.

"Only then can our governments rebut the accusation of double standards. That is why they must act together to uphold international law in Palestine," the letter stated. It specifically condemned Israel's military campaign in Gaza, launched after the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks, and the surge in violence in the West Bank since then, which has drawn international concern.

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to destroy any prospect of an independent Palestinian state, showing contempt for the law, the rulings of the International Court of Justice and countless UN Security Council resolutions

The diplomats described house demolitions and "rampant settler violence - with the connivance of the Israeli army and police" in annexed East Jerusalem and the West Bank as amounting to "ethnic cleansing." They concluded that the international community no longer views Israel as a democracy, stating, "there is nothing democratic about depriving others of their rights and land."

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The world no longer sees Israel as a genuine democracy - there is nothing democratic about depriving others of their rights and land.