Kathmandu— A coalition of 102 former French and British diplomats is demanding that their governments jointly sanction Israel, citing concerns that Israeli policy in occupied Palestinian territory is undermining the possibility of a future Palestinian state. Published Saturday by Le Monde, the open letter calls for a ban on arms transfers and a freeze on EU-Israel and UK-Israel trade agreements, arguing these measures are necessary to uphold international law and ensure equal rights for both Israelis and Palestinians. The signatories include experienced diplomats with decades of postings across the Middle East, who warn that current actions amount to ethnic cleansing and damage Israel’s standing as a democracy.

Diplomatic Concerns Over West Bank Expansion

The letter arrives amid ongoing conflict in Gaza, where over 72,000 Palestinians have been killed since October 2023, despite a ceasefire taking effect in October 2025. However, Nicholas Hopton, a former UK ambassador to Iran, Qatar and Yemen and one of the signatories, explained that the immediate trigger for the letter was Israel’s renewed push to expand settlements in the occupied West Bank. “There is a move by the Israeli government to allow settlements to be created in the West Bank in a way that would almost realistically prevent a future Palestinian state being able to be created there,” he said. The diplomats argue that recognizing a Palestinian state, as France and the UK did in 2025, must now be followed by concrete action.

Calls For Accountability And Legal Action

The signatories emphasize their countries’ historical responsibility stemming from post-World War I mandates over Palestine, Syria, and Lebanon, which shaped the region's modern borders. They assert that those responsible for war crimes and crimes against humanity must be held accountable to avoid accusations of double standards. The letter specifically demands the suspension of EU-Israel and UK-Israel trade agreements, a halt to arms transfers and military cooperation with Israel, and a ban on trade with Israeli settlements. It also calls for restrictions on property purchases in occupied Palestinian land and guaranteed humanitarian access to Gaza through UN agencies.

Demands For Palestinian Renewal

While primarily focused on actions against Israel, the letter does not solely place blame on one side. It also addresses concerns about the Palestinian leadership, describing it as “unrepresentative and dysfunctional.” The signatories urge the Palestinian Authority to ensure that a recognized state remains democratic and law-abiding, highlighting upcoming elections in November as an opportunity for renewal. Hopton stressed that the United States holds the most influence over Israel’s actions and warned that continued inaction would exacerbate long-term problems and lead to further violence.

The letter represents a significant expression of concern from within the diplomatic community and calls on France and the UK to take concrete steps towards upholding international law in the region. The signatories hope their appeal will prompt meaningful action, particularly from key international actors like the United States.

(With inputs from Al Jazeera)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.