The Israeli occupation government has cancelled visas for 27 French left-wing lawmakers and local officials just two days before they were set to begin a five-day visit to the Zionist entity and the Palestinian territories.
The action comes in the backdrop of already existing diplomatic tensions between the Zionist entity and France after French president Emmanuel Macron said that his country would soon recognize Palestinian state.
The delegation, comprising members of France’s Ecologist and Communist parties, was invited by the French consulate in occupied Al-Quds (Jerusalem). Their mission, according to the group, aimed to “strengthen international cooperation and promote a culture of peace.”
Israel’s government cancelled visas for 27 French left-wing lawmakers and local officials two days before they were to start a visit to Israel and the Palestinian territories on Sunday, the group said. https://t.co/Wsomf2v6hy
— AL-Monitor (@AlMonitor) April 21, 2025
Israeli Interior ministry attributed the action to allow that allows the occupation government to deny entry to individuals deemed likely to act against the “State of Israel”.
The French delegation whose visa has been cancelled said that this was the first time, that just before two days before their departure, Israeli authorities cancelled their entry visas that had been approved one month ago.
“We want to understand what led to this sudden decision, which resembles collective punishment,” the group said.
During a visit to Egypt, President Emmanuel Macron said France will move towards recognising a Palestinian state in the next few months. Macron was meeting regional leaders to discuss the future of Gaza. pic.twitter.com/OsXFc62yKX
— Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) April 10, 2025
The statement from the group termed the visa cancellation as a “major rupture in diplomatic ties”.
“Deliberately preventing elected officials and parliamentarians from travelling cannot be without consequences,” the group added, demanding a meeting with Macron and action by his government to ensure Israel let them into the country.
Source: Agencies
