27 French Officials Barred From Entering Israel Ahead of Palestinian Visit
Israel Revokes Visas for 27 French Officials Amid Growing Diplomatic Rift Over Palestinian Statehood
The Israeli Interior Ministry has revoked the visas of 27 French officials, including several mayors and National Assembly deputies François Ruffin, Alexis Corbière, and Julie Ozenne, just days ahead of their planned five-day visit to Israel and the Palestinian territories. The visit, organized by the French consulate in Jerusalem, aimed to promote peace and international cooperation, and the visas had been approved a month earlier.
The officials, affiliated with France’s Ecologist and Communist parties, are known supporters of Palestinian statehood—a stance that aligns with French President Emmanuel Macron’s recent statement suggesting France may soon recognize Palestine as an independent state.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu strongly condemned France’s evolving position, calling it a “huge reward for terrorism” in light of the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attacks.
Officials Denounce Israel’s Move as Diplomatic Breakdown
In a joint letter signed by 17 of the affected officials, the group urged President Macron to intervene, denouncing Israel’s decision as an act of “collective punishment” and a “major rupture in diplomatic ties.” So far, the Élysée Palace has not issued an official response.
Several officials also took to social media to express outrage. Alexis Corbière described the visa revocation as a “scandal”, echoing the broader frustration among French politicians.
This is not an isolated incident. In February, two European MPs were denied entry into Israel, including a Franco-Palestinian representative, and two British MPs—Yuan Yang and Abtisam Mohamed—were detained at Ben Gurion Airport, reportedly over similar security concerns.
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