More than 300 former European diplomats and officials have called on EU leaders for a "much more decisive" response to the Gaza war. In an open letter, they demand a complete suspension of the EU-Israel cooperation agreement and recognition of Palestine by all member states, The Guardian reported.

The letter, published shortly after the opening of the UN General Assembly in New York, was signed by 312 people, including nearly 140 former officials of EU institutions and over 180 diplomats from member states, including Belgium, France, Italy and Germany. The support from Berlin and Rome is seen as crucial as both countries have so far blocked a proposal to limit research funds for Israeli organisations.

The signatories want the EU to take a leading role on the international stage and force Israel to respect international law.

"We cannot stand by and watch Gaza turn into rubble and its inhabitants into beggars at risk of starvation," said the former EU ambassador Sven Kühn von Burgsdorffwho served as envoy for the Palestinian territories. He said that the question was whether the EU would stand up for basic humanity and the values of the post-war order.

The letter follows the toughest speech by the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen against the Israeli government. It has called for sanctions against extremist ministers and for the suspension of the trade part of the EU-Israel Association Agreement. "Artificially induced famine must never be used as a weapon of war." she said. At the same time, it announced a freeze of €6 million in annual regional funds and a grant of €14 million to Israeli public institutions.

Michael Doyle, former EU ambassador and co-author of the letter, said: "It was good to hear these announcements, but of course now we want to see words turned into action."

While consensus is needed to adopt sanctions against individuals and unanimity is required to suspend the entire Association Agreement, smaller measures - such as freezing research funds - can be approved by a qualified majority of 15 states representing 65 % EU citizens. However, the EU is strongly divided in its approach to the Gaza war - between hardliners against Israel (Belgium, Ireland, Spain) and its allies (Hungary, Czech Republic).

This is the group's fourth open letter since July, showing the unusual public criticism of the EU by its former high-ranking staff.

The Guardian/gnews.cz - GH