De Gaulle Criticizes Israel's Occupation: Calls for Withdrawal from Six-Day War Territories

Charles de Gaulle, the President of France, addressed a letter to Israeli Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion. In this letter, de Gaulle criticized Israel's territorial expansion during the Six-Day War, urging a withdrawal from the territories occupied during the conflict. The Six-Day War, which resulted in significant shifts in the Middle East's geopolitical landscape, saw Israel capturing the Gaza Strip, the Sinai Peninsula, the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and the Golan Heights. The French President's critique was rooted in his belief that the occupation of these territories would lead to ongoing conflict and instability in the region. De Gaulle's call for withdrawal underscored France's stance on international law and the principle of inadmissibility of acquiring territory by war, aligning with United Nations Security Council Resolution 242. This resolution called for the withdrawal of Israeli armed forces from occupied territories and recognized the right of every state in the area to live in peace within secure and recognized boundaries. The letter highlighted the differing views between France and Israel concerning the conflict's resolution and peace process. While Israel viewed the territories as necessary for its security, de Gaulle and many in the international community saw the occupation as a source of future contention. This correspondence is a significant example of de Gaulle's foreign policy approach, known as Gaullism, characterized by independence and a critical stance towards both superpower dominance and regional disputes. It revealed the tension between French diplomatic efforts and Israeli military decisions, reflecting broader international debates on security, sovereignty, and peace. The impact of de Gaulle's letter was multifaceted, influencing international discourse around the Middle East conflict and adding to the pressure on Israel regarding the occupied territories. It also marked a cooling of French-Israeli relations, which had previously been relatively close, particularly during the early years of Israeli statehood. #MiddleEastConflict #TerritorialDispute #CharlesdeGaulle #DavidBenGurion #SixDayWar #InternationalRelations #UNResolution242 #OccupationalWithdrawal #Gaullism #PeaceProcess #MoofLife