The left-wing politicians described the restriction as “collective punishment”
Israel has revoked entry visas for left-wing French lawmakers who supported the recognition of a Palestinian state.
The move comes shortly after French President Emmanuel Macron said recognition could take place at an international conference in June – a proposal condemned by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who called it a “huge reward for terrorism.”
The group of 27 politicians included members of France’s Ecologist and Communist parties, along with local officials and mayors. Among them were National Assembly deputies François Ruffin, Alexis Corbiere, and Julie Ozenne from the Ecologist party, Communist deputy Soumya Bourouaha, and Communist Senator Marianne Margate.
The politicians said on Sunday that they were invited by the French consulate in Jerusalem for a five-day trip to both Israel and the Palestinian territories, described as a mission to “strengthen international cooperation and the culture of peace.”
“For the first time, two days before our departure, the Israeli authorities cancelled our entry visas that had been approved one month ago,” the lawmakers said in their statement, calling the decision “collective punishment.”
They described the visa ban as a “major rupture in diplomatic ties” and urged Macron to respond.
“Deliberately preventing elected officials and parliamentarians from travelling cannot be without consequences,” they added.
The group said their parties had for decades called for recognition of a Palestinian state.
Israel’s Interior Ministry defended the cancellation, citing a law that allows authorities to deny entry to individuals who “could act against the State of Israel.”
Tensions with Western lawmakers have intensified in recent months amid mounting criticism of Israel’s military campaign against Hamas in Gaza. Earlier in April, two British MPs were blocked from entering the country after being accused of planning to “spread hate speech.” Israeli authorities claimed the pair had misrepresented their purpose, while the UK Foreign Office described the decision as “unacceptable.”
Prior to that, an EU parliamentary delegation canceled a planned visit to Jerusalem and Ramallah after entry was denied to French MP Rima Hassan, Irish MP Lynn Boylan, and two EU staffers.
Israeli officials said the individuals had “consistently worked to promote boycotts against Israel in addition to numerous public statements both on social media and in media interviews.”
“The State of Israel is not obligated to allow the entry of any official from a foreign country, including members of parliament, if they work to boycott and undermine its legitimacy,” Diaspora Affairs Minister Amichai Chikli said at the time.
