As the war in Gaza continues and numerous states and international organizations express concern about the humanitarian situation on the ground, former French Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin published a lengthy text on the social network X on Friday, August 1st, calling for the world to awaken to what he describes as a "crime of genocide" in Gaza. His message on X reiterates the op-ed he published on Thursday, July 31st, in the newspaper Le Monde
"Today, looking at Gaza, observing day after day what is unfolding there, I must tragically acknowledge the obvious: a crime is taking place in Gaza, a crime of genocide," he writes, as Israeli bombings continue and the number of civilian casualties steadily rises according to the latest UN estimates.
"To be silent is to be complicit. To name is already to act. Yes, today we must call things by their name. In Gaza, before our very eyes, a genocide is indeed unfolding," continues the former head of government, explicitly challenging the international community and highlighting the stated responsibility of the Israeli government. For Dominique de Villepin, the intention of Benjamin Netanyahu's government "is not abstract": "it is announced, proclaimed, claimed [...], with the complicity of the American administration and the passivity of European states." According to him, Benjamin Netanyahu and many Israeli political leaders "are now openly endorsing the project of erasing an entire people."
"Take a clear, firm stance"
As the international community remains powerless in the face of the humanitarian tragedy, Dominique de Villepin laments that "too many consciences, all over the world, prefer not to see, prefer not to know, and deliberately turn away from this painful reality." He launches an appeal "to consciences, to peoples, to states, so that silence and inaction may finally be broken." Faced with the gravity of the situation, he urges everyone, "intellectual, artist, citizen" to "take a clear, firm, immediate stance." The man who opposed the United States at the UN before the 2003 invasion of Iraq warns against "passive complicity that makes the worst human tragedies possible."
"We have an absolute moral duty to act, to speak, to oppose this murderous madness [...] Recognizing this truth must more than ever lead us to reject any amalgamation, any essentialization, to remain attentive and vigilant to prevent any resurgence of antisemitism," he adds. Dominique de Villepin calls for concrete measures such as the immediate suspension of the association agreement between the European Union and Israel, support for the prosecution of Israeli officials before the International Criminal Court, and the delivery of humanitarian aid through legitimate armed intervention. He also demands the opening of Gaza to journalists and an amplification of mobilization for the recognition of a viable Palestinian state. "Alone, we can do nothing. Together, we can do everything," he concludes.
Source: Franceinfo.fr, 02/08/2025