Mick Hartley

A strange letter in the Times this morning from a bunch of superannuated British diplomats, displaying those familiar signs of blinkered incomprehension that never stopped them in their chosen ambassadorial careers – largely and unsurprisingly in the Arab world. 

Sir, Rightly, the stated aim of British Middle East diplomacy is to help restore the Gaza ceasefire with the release of all hostages and an end to Israel’s use of starvation as a weapon of war. A political horizon beyond war is needed. France (world, Apr 11) and Saudi Arabia are shaping a June Middle East peace conference for co-existence based on international law and self-determination for both peoples, Palestinian and Israeli. The US attitude is beyond prediction.

Britain has “form” on Palestine/Israel and should give a lead to increase momentum, working with France and like-minded partners in Europe, the Middle East and the global south — just as Sir Keir Starmer is doing commendably on Ukraine. President Macron speaks publicly of recognising Palestine. British leadership entails recognition of that state alongside Israel, on the land that the International Court of Justice advises is unlawfully occupied by Israel.

Israel is not using starvation as a weapon of war. That would be Hamas, who seize the food trucks coming in and  co-opt the food for themselves. Nor is there any indication on the side of the Palestinians, anywhere, that they're willing to live in co-existence with a Jewish state. The policy of Hamas is the destruction of Israel in the name of Islam, and the slaughter of the Jews. 

And if they want a cease fire (Hamas, that is), all they have to do is release the hostages.

The signatories:

Sir Vincent Fean, former consul-general, Jerusalem; Sir Edward Clay, former high commissioner to Kenya; Sir Richard Dalton, former ambassador to Iran; Frances Guy, former ambassador to Lebanon; Lord Hannay of Chiswick, former ambassador to the United Nations; Rupert Joy, former EU ambassador to Morocco; Robin Kealy, former ambassador to Tunisia; Robin Lamb, former ambassador to Bahrain; Peter Millett, former ambassador to Libya; Richard Northern, former ambassador to Libya; Sir William Patey, former ambassador to Afghanistan; Sir Harold Walker, former ambassador to Iraq; James Watt, former ambassador to Egypt; Jon Wilks, former ambassador to Qatar