ISTANBUL

In a joint letter on Tuesday, 34 former ambassadors urged France to take the initiative again in the Middle East, the French daily Le Monde reported.

"It is time for France to take the initiative again on this issue, ten years after Sweden recognized the State of Palestine, and one year after Spain, Ireland, Slovenia, and Norway," ambassadors wrote in the letter.

They noted that skepticism or hostility from various international actors, along with "prioritization of interests and alliances," threatens the respect for international law, which was "once" France's "diplomatic compass."

"Our legalist position on Iraq in 2003 is reflected in our stance on Ukraine, but is lacking in the Middle East, where we are accused of applying 'double standards'," they added.

Ambassadors stressed that this change undermines their image as an "independent" and "fair" diplomacy, which is now "less credible," while other European countries take "more advanced" positions than France.

"We rightly condemned the terrorist attack of October 7, 2023. However, it could not justify the ethnic cleansing of the Palestinian people, and we expressed concern far too late over the increasing number of Palestinian civilian victims in Gaza due to destructive operations," they said.

Diplomats also explained that France's "hesitation" to denounce abuses was "partly" due to its desire to remain an "interlocutor" for Israel and the US, "despite the little regard their leaders showed," with "even insults or accusations of antisemitism."

"Israel’s security and its undeniable right to self-defense may have caused confusion. Israel in fact threatens its own security, as well as that of the region, by denying the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination, by its incursions into Syria and Lebanon, and by certain statements about Greater Israel," they further said.

Ambassadors also warned that they cannot remain as "mere spectators" while Israel continues its war on Gaza and found President Emmanuel Macron's decision to recognize the Palestinian state "entirely timely" yet also "insufficient" in the current context of "disregard for international law."

They underscored that Israel's challenging of international law carries "heavy long-term consequences" for peace in the world, and even for the "status" of countries like France.

"To play a genuine role, beyond the welcome movement launched by the president, we must reconnect with our defense of international law on emblematic Middle East issues, thus contributing to the rebuilding of an international system weakened by a crisis of confidence," they added.

Ambassadors further called for an immediate end to the war and hostage release, halt to settlement activity, urgent UNRWA (UN agency for Palestinian refugees) aid delivery, suspension of the EU-Israel agreement and arms supplies, and international press access to Gaza.

They also demanded banning Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and officials accused of supporting atrocities from French territory, welcoming Gaza victims, prosecuting French nationals involved in abuses, and dropping charges against critics of Israeli policy not linked to terrorism or antisemitism.

Israel is facing mounting condemnation for its genocidal war on Gaza, where it has killed nearly 61,600 victims since October 2023.

Last November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.

Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its war on the enclave.