French diplomatic elite condemn US-Israel military campaign as ‘disastrous’ for global order

A collective of 29 former French ambassadors has issued a comprehensive manifesto condemning the military campaign initiated by the United States and Israel, characterizing the escalation as a “disastrous war” that threatens global order and European interests.

The declaration, signed by prominent veteran diplomats including Bruno Aubert, Yves Aubin de La Messuzière, and Charles-Henri d’Aragon, offers a scathing critique of Western complicity and the erosion of French diplomatic independence.

“As former French ambassadors, we condemn the disastrous war launched by the United States and Israel,” the collective stated, marking a rare and significant intervention by the upper echelons of the French diplomatic corps.

The diplomats noted that operations targeting political and military objectives are resulting in mass strikes against civilian populations and infrastructure already under severe duress. They observed that such measures have failed to yield either a regime surrender or a democratic uprising.

The expansion of the conflict into Lebanon presents an equally grim outlook. The ambassadors emphasized that Israel is exploiting provocations by Hezbollah to “execute a systematic plan of destruction and territorial conquest.”

The manifesto highlighted that civilians are not being spared, leading to a “humanitarian catastrophe that threatens the very existence of the fragile Lebanese state.”

The retired diplomats argued that the ongoing conflict lacks any foundation in international law. “This conflict cannot be justified: legally, no grounds permit an attack on a sovereign state; factually, while Iran was a source of nuisance, it posed no ‘imminent threat’ to either the US or Israel,” the assessment read.

The text asserted that Israel’s objective, as repeated by Benjamin Netanyahu for three decades, is the total elimination of any Iranian threat. Meanwhile, the US objectives, formulated inconsistently by Donald Trump, have introduced ambiguities that heighten regional risks.

The collective further stressed that the predictable consequences of the crisis were never analyzed. The potential for regional contagion, the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, the disruption of international trade and energy flows, and the further radicalization of the Tehran regime were all disregarded.

The ambassadors accused the US President of ignoring allies and partners. “No prior consultation took place, even as Gulf countries face the direct impact of Iranian strikes and we all suffer from the paralysis of the Strait,” they stated.

The manifesto pointed out that Trump, who is now seeking assistance from partners and even rivals to secure maritime traffic, is being met with refusals. “This war represents a new chapter in the decoupling of American initiatives from European interests,” the text noted.

France relinquishes diplomatic independence

The ambassadors criticized Europe’s stance toward the current crisis as one of “silence or acquiescence.” They noted that while German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has approved the operations, President Emmanuel Macron—despite reminders of international law and claims that “this war is not ours”—tacitly endorsed the initial strikes and only belatedly condemned the aggression.

The text highlighted that only Spain has distinguished itself through a courageous and often solitary position. “We appear helpless in the face of the rise of power politics that are shattering the international order, however flawed it may be,” the statement read.

Contending that France, which famously said “no” to the Iraq War in 2003, is now abandoning its diplomatic independence, the collective argued that international law is being silenced by a desire to manage the US regarding Ukraine and Israel to maintain a capacity for dialogue.

The manifesto criticized France’s June 2025 stance, which “welcomed the effects” of Israeli strikes while reaffirming “Israel’s right to defend itself and ensure its security.”

The diplomats recorded that after February 28, France accused Tehran of bearing “primary responsibility,” ignored progress in ongoing nuclear negotiations in Geneva, and only belatedly criticized the use of excessive force as Lebanon faced the risk of collapse.

Statements made by Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot during his visit to Lebanon and Israel confirmed these uncertainties, according to the text. “However much the Tehran regime and its recent massacres against its own people must be condemned, the war launched by the Americans and Israelis will bring no solution for Iran or the region,” the manifesto declared.

The collective warned that the war carries immense dangers and that Europe cannot remain passive in the face of a crisis threatening its vital interests.

European identity and values at stake

The diplomats asserted that the reluctance of Europeans to condemn the Israeli-US intervention contradicts their own values. This hesitation, they argued, undermines the credibility of the European Union, encourages a return to imperialism, and exposes Europe to tangible dangers such as energy insecurity, terrorism, societal polarization, racism, and antisemitism.

“The time has come to react at both the French and European levels. No long-term solution in the region can be imposed through force or the violation of law,” the manifesto warned.

The ambassadors stated that the priority in the region must be the resolution of the Palestinian question, which remains the fundamental driver of political deadlock and extremist escalation.

The text emphasized that the immediate necessity is to halt the current conflict and bring the actors to the negotiating table. “In parallel, the resolution of the Palestinian issue—the key to permanent and peaceful coexistence between Israel and other states in the region—must be addressed seriously.”

Rejecting accusations of naivety, the diplomats maintained that they understand the use of legitimate force to uphold the law but seek a world “entirely different from the law of the strongest and total impunity.”

The manifesto concluded with a call to action to reaffirm the elements of international law, multilateralism, and diplomacy that constitute European identity. It insisted on the clear condemnation of sovereignty violations and attacks on civilian targets.

“We call for the launch of a ‘coalition of the willing’ with countries like Spain, which has distanced itself from this war, or with Muslim states such as Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Türkiye, and Pakistan, which have entered a process of mediation,” the statement concluded.