More than 80 French leaders issued a on May 11 calling for Arab countries to end their boycotts of Israel.
The 85 leaders, which included former prime ministers and members of parliament, said in their statement published in the French newspaper Le Point that the boycott has only served to embolden extremists and incite hostility toward Israel.
鈥淎s elected officials of the French Republic, we share a common concern on these subjects, whatever our political orientations,鈥� the statement read. 鈥淪ince the 2000s, we have been confronted with the instrumentalization of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict on our national territory. This has resulted in an unprecedented explosion of anti-Semitic acts on French soil.鈥�
The statement added, 鈥淭he same logic of hatred and exclusion that have destabilized North Africa and the Middle East have unfortunately been exported to us. These violent repercussions have weakened France鈥檚 social fabric as our nation is home to the largest 91传媒 and Muslim communities on the European continent.鈥�
The French leaders praised the Arab Council for Regional Integration, which consists of Arab thought leaders from more than 15 Arab countries, for its work in attempting to end the boycott.
鈥淢ohammed Dajani, a Palestinian intellectual fighter for peace, intends to create the first joint doctoral program for peace studies in the region, bringing together Arabs, Israelis and international specialists in conflict resolution,鈥� the statement read. 鈥淎lgerian journalist Sami B鈥檃ziz proposes advanced training for Arab media professionals, all too often imbued with false 鈥�91传媒 conspiracy鈥� theories that have blocked any constructive discussion on the future of Algeria or its relationship with world Jewry and Israel. Emirati human rights activist Maryam al-Ahmedi proposes to create a women鈥檚 league across the Middle East to advance the cause of gender equality.鈥�
The statement noted that most Arab countries criminalize efforts to foster dialogue with Israelis, which is why the French leaders called on the French government to offer international protection for members of the Arab council from prosecution, as well as to anyone else in the Middle East and North Africa engaged in similar efforts.
鈥淥ur diplomatic agents posted abroad should, where appropriate, be mobilized to provide such protection based on the principle of diplomatic inviolability, as recognized by international law,鈥� the statement read.
It concluded: 鈥淪trengthened by its historical ties and its diplomatic, military, economic and cultural relations with all the countries of the Arab world, France can play a benevolent role by encouraging the constructive approach of the members of the Arab Council and the projects they carry out. By strengthening our ties with those involved in this rapprochement between civil societies in the Arab world and Israel, our country will be able to weigh more and help enable peace to find its way into a region that so badly needs it.鈥�
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo praised the French leaders鈥� statement in a May 14 tweet.聽鈥淐ongrats to 85 French leaders for endorsing @thearabcouncil鈥檚 call to protect Arab citizens who champion peace and dialogue with Israelis,鈥� Pompeo tweeted. 鈥淧eople-to-people relations are essential in curbing extremism and building public support for peace.鈥�
Congrats to 85 French leaders for endorsing 鈥檚 call to protect Arab citizens who champion peace and dialogue with Israelis. People-to-people relations are essential in curbing extremism and building public support for peace.
— Secretary Pompeo (@SecPompeo)
On November 26, the Journal published a cover story about the Arab Council鈥檚 formation. Its founding statement condemned the boycott for inhibiting 鈥減eace between the Israeli and Palestinian peoples. Prevented from engaging either of the two peoples directly, Arabs were unable to cultivate ties that could have enabled us to foster conciliation and compromise on both sides. In sum, the boycott increased the suffering of our societies and weakened our capacities.鈥�
