Former envoys urge joint French, UK action on Palestinian territories

PARIS: Dozens of former senior French and UK diplomats on Saturday (Aug 22) urged their governments to work together to uphold international law in the Palestinian territories, accusing Israel of seeking to "destroy" any prospect of a viable Palestinian state.

The 102 signatories of the letter published in Le Monde included former British ambassadors to the UN Jeremy Greenstock and Emyr Jones Parry, as well the former directors for the Middle East at the French foreign ministry Yves Aubin de la Messuziere and Denis Bauchard.

They said the involvement of France and the UK was essential given the historic roles of the two powers in the Middle East and the fact that both permanent members of the UN Security Council in 2025 recognised a Palestinian state.

"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," said the letter.

It accused Israel of seeking "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".

Israel launched a military campaign on the Palestinian territory of Gaza following the Oct 7, 2023 attack by militant group Hamas against Israel.

Violence in the West Bank, occupied by Israel since 1967, has surged since the Gaza war began, sparking international concern over the conduct of Israeli troops and settlers.

France and Britain this week joined other countries in releasing a statement condemning the Israeli government's release of new tenders for construction in the occupied West Bank.

The letter said house demolitions and "rampant settler violence - with the connivance of the Israeli army and police" in annexed east Jerusalem and the West Bank amounted to "ethnic cleansing".

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