Over 100 former French, British ambassadors call for sanctions on Israel for 'ethnic cleansing'

More than 100 former French and British ambassadors have called on their governments to impose sanctions on Israel. In an open letter published in Le Monde, they urged France and the United Kingdom to uphold international law in Palestine and take action against the Israeli government's policies in Gaza and the West Bank.

“

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

The ambassadors stated that Israel's actions violate rulings by the International Court of Justice and multiple UN Security Council resolutions. They acknowledged Hamas's "heinous crimes" on October 7, 2023, but argued that "nothing justifies Israel's systematic policy of destruction of Gaza and its population." The letter accused Israel of ethnic cleansing, citing settler violence and demolitions occurring with the "connivance of the Israeli army and police."

“

Hamas committed heinous crimes on October 7, 2023, but nothing justifies Israel's systematic policy of destruction of Gaza and its population.

"As a result, the world no longer sees Israel as a genuine democracy – there is nothing democratic about depriving others of their rights and land," the open letter read. The former diplomats also called for democratic renewal within Palestinian leadership, stating that elections in November must lead to change.

“

As a result, the world no longer sees Israel as a genuine democracy – there is nothing democratic about depriving others of their rights and land.

Recommendations from the ambassadors included suspending trade agreements with Israel, halting arms transfers, and banning all trade with settlements. They also called for unrestricted aid access to Gaza, led by UNRWA and other international organizations, and access for journalists, diplomats, and parliamentarians.

“

our focus needs to be on Israel's determination to prevent that outcome.