France Denies Entry to Israeli Settlement Leader Yossi Dagan
Translated & summarized from Al-Shams by baba
France has denied entry to Yossi Dagan, head of the Regional Council of Settlements in the Northern West Bank, citing his role in settlement activities. Dagan was detained and questioned upon arrival at a Paris airport last week before being informed of the ban. Israel's Foreign Ministry condemned the decision, calling it politically motivated, and is seeking explanations from France. This follows similar bans on other Israeli officials and restrictions on settlers, reflecting French opposition to settlement expansion.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- France denied entry to Yossi Dagan, head of West Bank settlement council, citing his role in settlement policy.
- Dagan was detained and questioned at a Paris airport before being informed of the entry ban.
- The French Foreign Ministry stated settlement activity violates international law and undermines a two-state solution.
- Israel's Foreign Ministry condemned the decision as unacceptable and politically motivated.
- France previously banned ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich over settlement policies.
- France also restricted entry for 28 settlers accused of violence against Palestinians in February 2024.
French authorities have denied entry to Yossi Dagan, the head of the Regional Council of Settlements in the Northern West Bank. Dagan arrived at a Paris airport last week, where immigration officials detained and questioned him before informing him of the ban. The French Foreign Ministry stated that Dagan is subject to an administrative decision preventing his entry due to his active role in implementing settlement policy in the West Bank, which France considers contrary to international law and detrimental to a two-state solution.
Dagan and his office revealed that immigration staff presented him with documents related to his role in establishing settlements in the northern West Bank and his advocacy for re-establishing Israeli settlements in Gaza, referencing the Gush Katif settlements evacuated in 2005. Dagan stated he was traveling to France for meetings with officials and elected representatives and expressed surprise at the ban. He subsequently traveled to Prague, Czech Republic, where he held meetings with government officials and members of the Czech Senate and Parliament.
Israel's Foreign Ministry condemned the French decision, calling it unacceptable and politically and ideologically motivated. Jerusalem announced it would demand explanations from the French government and consider its next steps based on the response. This incident occurs amidst strained relations between France and Israel, particularly concerning Israeli policies in the West Bank and Gaza. France previously banned Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir in May and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich in June, citing their support for settlement expansion and proposals to re-establish settlements in Gaza.
France's actions extend beyond individual bans; in February 2024, it imposed entry restrictions on 28 Israeli settlers accused of violence against Palestinians in the West Bank. These European measures target individuals and entities associated with settlement activities. Dagan's ban reflects a French stance that penalizes not only individuals involved in violence but also officials directly managing and expanding settlements, amid growing disagreements between Paris and the Israeli government over the future of the West Bank and the possibility of a Palestinian state.
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