Former Israeli ambassador to France, Eli Barnavi, and historian Vincent Lemire have urged the French president to impose sanctions on Israel, highlighting the “urgent need” for such measures in light of the dire humanitarian conditions for both residents and Israeli hostages in Gaza.
In an article published on Tuesday in Le Monde, they stated, “Mr. President, if immediate sanctions are not enacted against Israel, you will have to acknowledge a grave situation.”
They emphasized the necessity to act promptly to ensure the delivery of food and healthcare supplies to Gaza on a large scale.
They further noted, “As you know, only immediate and tangible sanctions will influence Israeli public opinion and thus compel the Israeli government to enact real change.”
The aim is to alleviate starvation, secure a lasting ceasefire, ensure the release of all hostages, safeguard Palestinians in the West Bank, and help Israel save itself from its current predicament.
The authors argued that “the excuse of a lack of European consensus is no longer valid,” especially after French President Macron garnered “diplomatic momentum” on July 24 by announcing that France would recognize the State of Palestine at the United Nations General Assembly in September, a stance subsequently supported by the UK and Canada.
Barnavi and Lemire added, “You can initiate and lead a coalition of willing European countries; you must act now, as this matter is extremely urgent,” referencing the Israeli parliament’s recent vote on July 23 to annex the West Bank, which passed with a majority of 71 votes to 13.
They also criticized the “double standards” displayed by the European Union, which has issued 18 sanction packages against Russia while refraining from any action against Israel.
Nevertheless, they believed that Israel’s geographical isolation would render sanctions “effective and noticeable immediately in all stores across the country.”
They clarified, “Mr. President, do not confuse diplomatic noise with real-world conditions. Since your July 24 announcement, everything has changed diplomatically, but nothing has changed in Gaza,” adding, “A promise of recognition does not fulfill basic needs.”
Eli Barnavi served as Israel’s ambassador to France from 2000 to 2002, while Vincent Lemire is a historian at the University of Paris Est Créteil and led the French Research Center in Jerusalem from 2019 until August 2023.