PARIS (Agencies): Israel’s government has canceled visas for 27 French left-wing lawmakers and local officials just two days before their planned visit to Israel and the Palestinian territories. The delegation, which included National Assembly deputies Francois Ruffin, Alexis Corbiere, and Julie Ozenne from the Ecologist party, Communist deputy Soumya Bourouaha, and Communist senator Marianne Margate, expressed outrage over the decision.
The move comes amidst heightened diplomatic tensions following French President Emmanuel Macron’s announcement that France would soon recognize a Palestinian state. Israel’s interior ministry cited a law allowing authorities to ban individuals who might act against the state of Israel as the basis for the visa cancellations.
The group, which had been invited by the French consulate in Jerusalem for a five-day trip, described the action as “collective punishment” and called on Macron to intervene. They had intended to visit Israel and the Palestinian territories to promote international cooperation and peace.
This decision follows similar actions by Israeli authorities, including the detention and deportation of two British Labour Party members earlier this month and the barring of left-wing European parliament deputies in February. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has strongly opposed France’s potential recognition of a Palestinian state, calling it a “huge reward for terrorism.”