Over 100 former British and French diplomats sign letter against Israel

More than 100 former British and French diplomats have sent an open letter to French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Andy Burnham, calling for harsh measures against Israel. The signatories, including 52 former French diplomats and 50 former British ambassadors—many of whom served in Middle Eastern nations including Iran, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia—accuse Israel of conducting "ethnic cleansing" against Palestinians and argue that it can no longer be considered a genuine democracy. While acknowledging the horrific crimes committed by Hamas on October 7, 2023, the diplomats stated that Israel's systematic policies in Gaza and the West Bank are unjustifiable. The letter asserts that "Palestine is being erased before our eyes" and urges the British and French governments to enforce International Criminal Court arrest warrants for Israeli officials, suspend arms sales, and halt trade agreements. Furthermore, the signatories called for unrestricted humanitarian aid to Gaza and a ban on trade with Israeli settlements.