More than 300 French-speaking writers and intellectuals have signed an open letter urging the international community and global institutions to recognize Israel’s military campaign in Gaza as genocide.

The letter, published in Le Monde, was signed by authors, poets, playwrights, and essayists from across the Francophone world, including France, Belgium, Canada, and North Africa. The group accuses Israel of deliberately targeting civilians, destroying infrastructure, and displacing entire communities in Gaza—actions they believe meet the legal definition of genocide under international law.

“The goal is to name what is happening in Gaza for what it is: a genocide,” the letter states. It argues that using euphemisms like “war” or “military operation” conceals the scale and intent of Israel’s actions and undermines international efforts to hold perpetrators accountable.

Among the signatories are prominent voices in French-language literature and culture, several of whom have previously spoken out against colonialism, apartheid, and systemic injustice. They argue that the sheer scale of the destruction and death toll in Gaza demands urgent international legal recognition and accountability.