France Bars Israeli Council Head Yossi Dagan Over Settlement Activity
Translated & summarized from Ynet by baba
France has banned Yossi Dagan, head of the Samaria Regional Council, from entering the country due to his involvement in settlement construction in the West Bank. The French Foreign Ministry cited international law and the undermining of a two-state solution as reasons for the administrative ban. Israel's Foreign Ministry condemned the decision as politically motivated and unacceptable, vowing to seek explanations and consider its response. Dagan, who was on his way to meetings in France, was questioned and sent back to Israel, subsequently traveling to the Czech Republic where he received support from officials there.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- France banned Yossi Dagan, head of Samaria Regional Council, over settlement activity.
- French authorities cited Dagan's role in settlements as contrary to international law.
- Israel's Foreign Ministry called the ban unacceptable and politically motivated.
- Dagan was questioned at Paris airport and sent back to Israel.
- Dagan subsequently received support from Czech Republic officials.
- Dagan stated he was building 50 settlements and promoting return to Gush Katif.
France has denied entry to Yossi Dagan, the head of the Samaria Regional Council, citing his active role in implementing settlement policies in the West Bank. French immigration authorities informed Dagan last week that he was not permitted to cross the border into France, where he had planned to hold meetings with public officials. The French Foreign Ministry stated that settlement activity "contradicts international law and undermines the two-state solution."
In response, Israel's Foreign Ministry condemned the decision as "unacceptable" and politically and ideologically motivated, asserting that Dagan is a "law-abiding public representative." Israel plans to demand explanations from the French government and will consider its next steps. Dagan reported that upon arrival at Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris, he was detained for questioning. He was informed by an officer that he was banned from entering due to his position as head of the Samaria council, his efforts to build settlements in Judea and Samaria, and his promotion of returning to Gush Katif.
Dagan stated that he was initially asked by the Foreign Ministry not to publicize the incident. He recounted the officer's words, "I respect you, but I have to do my job." Following the encounter, Dagan was put on a flight back to Israel. From Israel, he traveled to Prague, Czech Republic, where he held meetings with members of the Czech government, Senate, and Parliament.
During his meetings in Prague, Dagan received support from Czech officials. Andrej Konecny, chairman of the ruling party's faction in the European Parliament, thanked Dagan for being "the front line defending Europe." Czech Senate Vice Chairman Jirí Opltalzer expressed solidarity with the residents of Samaria, and senior parliament member Miroslav Janulik thanked the people of Samaria on behalf of the Czech Parliament. Dagan told them that Judea and Samaria represent "the future of Israel and the guarantee for its cultural and security existence in Europe."
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