British Foreign Secretary David Lammy and his French counterpart Stéphane Séjourné have urged for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, emphasizing that it is the crucial first step towards achieving a long-term, peaceful resolution in the Middle East. Writing for The Observer on August 18, 2024, the two diplomats warned that the ongoing violence is not only devastating civilian lives but also heightening the risk of a broader regional conflict.
“This is a perilous moment in the Middle East,” Lammy and Séjourné wrote. “Israel’s actions in Gaza continue to lead to intolerable loss of civilian life. Hostages taken by Hamas terrorists remain in chains, 316 days since the 7 October attack. There are French and British citizens among them.”
Their joint article reflects the shared concerns of the UK and France over the escalating conflict. The ministers highlighted their recent visit to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories, marking the first such joint trip by British and French foreign ministers in over a decade. This visit, they said, underscored their nations’ commitment to working together to foster peace and stability in a region that has long been a flashpoint for global tensions.
“Our response is to reconnect – using the joint strengths of our diplomacy to press a common message,” they stated. “We, the foreign ministers of France and the United Kingdom, travelled together last week to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories. By making the first joint visit by a British and French foreign minister for well over a decade, we are showing our commitment to working ever more closely together in a new spirit of cooperation, in the interests of our national security, Europe’s security and the Middle East’s security.”
The diplomats underscored the importance of the recently restarted negotiations on a ceasefire and hostage deal in Gaza, describing these talks as a “vital opportunity” to end the current hostilities. They stressed that the only path to lasting peace and security for both Israelis and Palestinians is through a two-state solution, which must be pursued with renewed diplomatic vigor.
“Only a deal can relieve civilian suffering. Only a deal can restore communities’ sense of security. Only a deal can open up the space for progress towards a two-state solution – the only long-term route to safety, security, and dignity for Israelis and Palestinians alike,” they emphasized.
Lammy and Séjourné also warned of the broader implications of the conflict, particularly the rising tensions between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon, and the looming threat of Iranian involvement. They cautioned that any further escalation could have catastrophic consequences, not just for the immediate region but for global stability.
“It’s never too late for peace. An all-out conflict across the region is in nobody’s interests. All parties need to show restraint and invest in diplomacy,” they wrote, adding that the international community must rally together to prevent further violence.
Their call for restraint and diplomacy has been echoed by other global powers, with American, Egyptian, and Qatari mediators playing key roles in the ongoing negotiations. Lammy and Séjourné reiterated their belief that a united international effort is essential to securing a ceasefire and paving the way for a political solution that has long eluded the region.
“There can be no delays or excuses. We must all come together. Reconnect in the interests of peace,” they concluded, urging all parties to engage in meaningful dialogue and take the necessary steps towards a lasting peace.
