France has denied entry to the Chairman of the Samaria Regional Council, Yossi Dagan. The Israeli local politician had traveled to Paris last week to meet with elected representatives for political discussions. However, he was stopped by French border officials at Charles de Gaulle Airport and was not permitted to enter the country.
As Israeli media report, Dagan was taken for an extended interview at passport control. An official presented him with documents showing that an entry ban had been imposed against him. The reasons cited were his role as Chairman of the Samaria Regional Council, his involvement in establishing Jewish communities in Judea and Samaria, and his advocacy for renewed Jewish settlement in the Gaza Strip.
According to Dagan, French authorities referenced his involvement in establishing 35 communities. He later stated that he had pointed out to the officials that the number had since grown to 50 communities.
A spokesperson for the French Foreign Ministry confirmed to the Israeli press that an administrative entry ban had been imposed on Dagan. The French justification stated that his active role in implementing Israeli settlement policy contradicts international law and undermines the two-state solution.
Dagan responded to the decision with strong words: “I am proud to be Jewish and Zionist and to be building the historic homeland of the Jewish people. I am proud to be on the right side of history.”
Israel demands an explanation
The Israeli Foreign Ministry sharply condemned the French action. Israel views with great concern the decision to deny entry to a law-abiding, elected Israeli official for clearly political and ideological reasons. This step is completely unacceptable.
The ministry announced that it would demand an explanation from the French government and subsequently examine possible further steps.
After being turned away in Paris, Dagan first returned to Israel. He then traveled to Prague, where he held talks with members of the Czech government as well as members of parliament and senators. There he advocated for stronger European support for Jewish communities in Judea and Samaria.
The entry ban is connected to the growing political tensions between Israel and France. Paris has already imposed entry restrictions on several Israeli politicians and representatives of the settlement movement. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and the Minister of National Security, Itamar Ben-Gvir, are also affected by such measures.
With the entry ban against Dagan, French policy is now targeting an elected Israeli local politician directly. The Israeli government views this as a politically motivated measure and is demanding clarification from Paris.
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