More than 100 former French and British diplomats have called on their governments to impose sanctions on Israel, warning that its policies in the occupied Palestinian territories could permanently undermine the possibility of establishing a Palestinian state.
In an open letter published on Saturday, 102 former diplomats urged France and the United Kingdom to work together to uphold international law and promote equal rights for Israelis and Palestinians.
The signatories include former British ambassadors to the United Nations Jeremy Greenstock and Emyr Jones Parry, as well as former French Middle East directors Yves Aubin de la Messuziere and Denis Bauchard.
The diplomats accused Israel of allowing house demolitions and settler violence in the occupied West Bank, describing the situation as amounting to ethnic cleansing. They also argued that Israel is increasingly being viewed internationally as failing to uphold democratic standards.
Nicholas Hopton, a former British ambassador to Iran, Qatar and Yemen, said the language used in the letter was based on assessments by international legal bodies, the United Nations and other independent observers.
The appeal comes amid Israel’s continuing military operations in Gaza. According to Gaza’s Ministry of Health, more than 72,000 Palestinians have been killed since the war began in October 2023. Although a ceasefire took effect in October 2025, Israeli attacks have continued, with at least 1,285 Palestinians reportedly killed since then.
The diplomats said Israel’s renewed efforts to expand settlements in the occupied West Bank could make the creation of a viable Palestinian state increasingly difficult.
France and the UK recognised a Palestinian state in 2025. The former diplomats argued that recognition should now be followed by concrete measures.
Measures demanded
The former diplomats called on France and the UK to:
Suspend EU-Israel and UK-Israel trade agreements.
Stop arms transfers and military cooperation with Israel.
Ban trade with Israeli settlements in occupied Palestinian territory.
Prevent their citizens from purchasing property on occupied Palestinian land.
Ensure humanitarian access to Gaza through UNRWA and other UN agencies.
Guarantee protected access for journalists, diplomats and parliamentarians.
The letter also criticised Palestinian leadership, describing it as “unrepresentative and dysfunctional”, and urged it to ensure that a future Palestinian state remains democratic and respects the rule of law.
Hopton said governments must move beyond statements of condemnation and take concrete action. He identified the United States as the country with the greatest influence over Israeli policy and warned that continued inaction could contribute to further violence and instability.
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