French Foreign Minister Cancels Jerusalem Trip After Israeli Police Enter French Territory, Arrest Consuls
Jerusalem, November 9, 2024 -France has summoned the Israeli ambassador and canceled a planned visit to Jerusalem by Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna after Israeli police entered French territory and arrested two French consuls, sparking a diplomatic row.
The incident occurred on Friday at the École des Frères, a French-owned property in East Jerusalem, known as the Eleona site. According to French authorities, two unarmed French consuls were approached by Israeli police who, without prior authorization, entered the French property with weapons. One consul was reportedly pushed to the ground and arrested despite identifying himself as a French official.
The Israeli Foreign Ministry maintains that theconsuls did not identify themselves and obstructed police operations, claiming the officers were simply carrying out their duties. The two consuls were later released, but the incident has further strained relations between the two countries.
The Eleona site, located on theMount of Olives, is one of four French-owned properties in Jerusalem. These properties have been under French jurisdiction since before the establishment of Israel in 1948 and are managed by the French Consulate in Jerusalem.
French Foreign Minister Colonna expressed her outrage, stating, “It is unacceptable that Israeli security forcesentered with weapons without prior French authorization and left without consent.” She emphasized the importance of respecting the integrity of French territories in Jerusalem, stating, “The integrity of France’s four territories in Jerusalem must be respected.”
This incident is not the first of its kind. French authorities have previously expressed concerns over Israeliactions at these sites, which are considered holy by various religious groups. The French government maintains its right to manage these properties and ensure their security.
The incident has raised concerns about the future of French-Israeli relations and the potential for further escalation. The French government has demanded a full explanation from Israel and a guaranteethat such incidents will not be repeated.
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