Israel cancels visas of left-wing French lawmakers before visit
The Israeli government has cancelled the visas of left-wing lawmakers from France as well as local officials, two days before they were scheduled to visit Israel and the Palestinian territories, Al-Monitor via AFP reported on April 20th.
Reportedly, the purpose of the visit was to boost global cooperation and peace. A total of 27 French lawmakers have had their visas cancelled. The move comes after Israel’s decision to prevent two UK members of parliament (MPs) from the UK’s ruling Labour Party from traveling to Israel.
The members of France’s Ecologist and Communist parties said they were victims of “collective punishment” by Israel, France 24 reported on April 20th. The group stated that “deliberately preventing elected officials and parliamentarians from travelling cannot be without consequences.” The group called on President Macron to intervene and urged the government to pressure Israel to allow them entry.
The group described the ban as a “major rupture in diplomatic ties.” The UK Foreign Secretary, David Lammy, labelled Israel’s move as “unacceptable.”
Diplomatic issues have also taken place as President Emmanuel Macron announced that France intends to recognise Palestinian statehood soon.
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu denounced France’s potential recognition of a Palestinian state. He declared that creating a Palestinian state beside Israel would serve as a “huge reward for terrorism.”
In February, Israel had already prevented the entry of two left-wing European parliament deputies, French-Palestinian Rima Hassan and Ireland’s Lynn Boylan.
On April 10th, France’s plan to recognise the Palestinian state gained approval from the Palestinian Authority Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Varsen Aghabekian Shahin, Middle East Eye via AFP reported.
On April 14th, the Palestinian foreign ministry strongly criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s comments about French President Emmanuel Macron, France24 via AFP reported. The ministry called Netanyahu’s comments “a blatant rejection of international legitimacy.”
The ministry also accused Netanyahu of favouring military solutions rather than diplomatic efforts.
Al-Monitor, AFP, France 24, Middle East Eye
