Israel revokes visas for 27 French MPs after Macron signals support for Palestinian state
Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s cabinet has canceled visas for 27 French lawmakers and local officials two days before they visit occupied Palestine.
The move occurs amidst ongoing diplomatic tensions between Israel and France, following French President Emmanuel Macron’s statement that Paris would soon recognize a Palestinian state.
Israel’s interior ministry justified the move under a law that allows authorities to ban people who could act against the national interests.
In a joint statement, up to 17 members of the Ecologist and Communist parties in France described the move as “collective punishment” by Israel and a “major rupture in diplomatic ties.”
They called on Macron to intervene, saying they had been invited on a five-day visit arranged by the French consulate in al-Quds.
“Deliberately preventing elected officials and parliamentarians from traveling cannot be without consequences,” the group added, demanding action by Macron’s government to ensure Israel let them into the country.
They said that the visit was a part of their mission to “strengthen international cooperation and culture of peace.”
Earlier in April, Macron said that France is making plans to recognize a Palestinian state and could do so as early as June.
“We must move toward recognition, and we will do so in the coming months,” Macron told France 5 television. “I’m not doing it for unity, or to please this or that person. I’m doing it because at some point it will be fair.”
Netanyahu strongly opposed the move, claiming that it is a ‘massive reward for terrorism’
Currently, 147 of the 193 UN member states recognize the state of Palestine.
