In this letter, addressed in particular to European foreign ministers, these personalities, including former diplomat Elie Barnavi, call for the recognition of a Palestinian state, “a question of principle and historical justice”.

In the wake of the brutal massacre perpetrated by Hamas on October 7 and Israel's destruction of lives and infrastructure in the Gaza Strip, we, Israelis committed to the democratic future of both peoples, are convinced that the international community must take clear steps to achieve the two-state solution. Recognition of the State of Palestine as a full member of the United Nations would be an important step along this path.

Recognition of a Palestinian state is a matter of principle and historical justice. It is also a way of giving a chance for a return to calm in this war-torn region. Such a significant diplomatic effort would remove the ambiguity that has marred the entire "peace process" since its beginnings, put diplomacy back on track and force the parties to the conflict, as well as the main international actors, to assume their responsibilities.

In this regard, we welcome reports that Spain, Ireland, Malta and Slovenia intend to soon announce their recognition of the State of Palestine and support its admission as a full member of the United Nations.

We call on other member states of the European Union, the United Kingdom, and other states to do the same and take this important step towards the two-state solution. This war must not become yet another chapter in the long history of violence between Israelis and Palestinians. There is no better way to restore confidence in diplomacy than to recognize, now, the State of Palestine.

Signatories

Elie Barnavi Former Israeli Ambassador to France; Ilan Baruch Former Israeli Ambassador to South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe; Michael Ben-Yair Former Attorney General of Israel and former Supreme Court Justice; Avraham Burg Former Speaker of the Knesset and ex-president of the Jewish Agency; Naomi Chazan Professor and former Vice Speaker of the Knesset; Itzhak Galnoor Professor and former chairman of the Israel Public Service Commission; Zehava Galon Former member of the Knesset and ex-chair of the Meretz party; Oded Goldreich Professor and winner of the Israel Prize (2021); Moty Heiblum Professor and winner of the Emet prize in exact sciences (2013); Eva Illouz Professor and former president of the Bezalel School of Fine Arts; Miki Kratsman Professor and winner of the Emet Prize in photography (2011); Alex Levac Laureate of the Israel Prize (2005); Alon Liel Former Director General of the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs and former Israeli Ambassador to South Africa and Turkey; Kobi Metzer Professor and former president of the Open University of Israel; Yoram Peri Professor and former political advisor to Yitzhak Rabin; Mossi Raz Former member of the Knesset; Sarah Stroumsa Professor and former rector of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.