France Denies Entry to Israeli Council Head Over Settlement Activity

By חדשות סרוגים

Translated & summarized from Srugim by baba

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France denied entry to Yossi Dagan, Head of the Shomron Regional Council, at Paris airport last week due to his settlement promotion activities. Dagan was interrogated and presented with entry prohibition documents. He then traveled to Prague, where Czech officials expressed strong support for him and the residents of Shomron, viewing them as a crucial front line.

The story in 5 lines · by baba

France denied entry to Yossi Dagan, Head of the Shomron Regional Council, over settlement activities.
French immigration authorities cited Dagan's promotion of settlements in Judea and Samaria for the ban.
Dagan was interrogated and presented with documents prohibiting his entry into France.
He subsequently traveled to Prague and met with supportive Czech government officials.
Czech officials praised Dagan and Shomron residents as a "front line" defending Europe.

France Denies Entry to Israeli Council Head Over Settlement Activity — Editorial illustration generated by baba News, not a photograph of the event.

Yossi Dagan, the Head of the Shomron Regional Council, was denied entry into France last week upon his arrival at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport. French immigration authorities prevented his entry due to his activities promoting settlement in Judea and Samaria, according to a statement from the Shomron Regional Council. During passport control, Dagan was taken for an extended interrogation where an immigration officer presented him with documents prohibiting his entry. The council stated the decision was based on Dagan's role as Shomron Council head, his efforts to establish 35 settlements in Judea and Samaria, and his promotion of a return to Gush Katif. Responding to the ban, Dagan stated, "I am proud to be a Jew and a Zionist and to build the historical homeland of the Jewish people. Proud to be on the right side of history."

Following the denial of entry to France, Dagan proceeded to Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic, where he held meetings with government officials, senators, and members of parliament over three days. Several Czech public officials expressed support for Dagan and the residents of Shomron. Andrej Kountik, Chairman of the ruling party's faction in the European Parliament, told Dagan, "Thank you for being the front line defending Europe. Sovereignty with you is important." Czech Senate Deputy Chairman Jiri Oberfelzer also voiced support, stating, "I strengthen the residents of Shomron. I wish you success in guarding your land. We are with you." Member of Parliament Miroslav Janulik added, "On behalf of the Czech Parliament, I thank the people of Shomron."

During his meetings, Dagan emphasized the importance of settlement in Judea and Samaria for Israel and Europe, saying, "Judea and Samaria is the future of Israel and the guarantee for its cultural and security existence in Europe. We are one front, we will fight together, and we will win together." The Shomron Council statement indicated that the decision to bar Dagan was linked to his public activities concerning settlement. French authorities have not yet officially commented on the incident.