Prominent Israeli settler denied entry into France
Prominent Israeli settler Yossi Dagan was denied entry into France last week after being turned back at a Paris airport.
The head of an organisation representing Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, Yossi Dagan, was denied entry into France last week. French authorities turned him back at a Paris airport, citing his active role in implementing settlement policy in the West Bank.
French justification
According to the French ministry, Dagan was "pulled aside and questioned" at passport control before being informed of the ban. "Settlement building is contrary to international law and undermines the two-state solution," the ministry stated.
Settlement building is contrary to international law and undermines the two-state solution.
Israeli response
Israel denounced the move as "completely unacceptable." Dagan, a member of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party, said he was undeterred and proud to "build the historic homeland of the Jewish people." Israel's foreign ministry stated the measures were based on "political and ideological grounds" and that it would "demand an explanation from the French government and consider its next steps accordingly."
Israel will demand an explanation from the French government and consider its next steps accordingly.
Escalating tensions
The incident occurs amid growing friction between Israel and European countries over illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank. France, along with 11 other countries, announced plans to restrict trade with these settlements in September. A French parliamentary committee recently approved a bill banning imports of settlement goods, with further discussion scheduled for November 19. Earlier this year, France also banned far-right Israeli ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich from entering the country.
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