France Summons Israeli Ambassador in Protest of Sovereignty Violation at Jerusalem Church
France's firm stance on the violation of its religious institution's sovereignty in Jerusalem raises questions about the future of French-Israeli cooperation in the region
November 7, 2024, 11:22 pm

France Summons Israeli Ambassador in Protest of Sovereignty Violation at Jerusalem Church

فرنسا وإسرائيل \ تعبيرية \ مصممة بالذكاء الاصطناعي \ ليفانت نيوز

Israeli police carried out an arrest operation Thursday of two French gendarmes at a French-administered church in Jerusalem, according to Agence France-Presse.

The arrest coincided with French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot's presence in Jerusalem, sparking a diplomatic crisis between Paris and Tel Aviv, after armed Israeli police entered without authorization into a French-administered site.

The French minister condemned the Israeli action, considering it an "unacceptable situation," and refused to enter the "Eleona" Church located on the Mount of Olives due to the detention of the gendarmes.

The French Foreign Ministry issued a statement saying: "The Israeli police's behavior is unacceptable... The Israeli ambassador in Paris will be summoned in the coming days."

Barrot began Thursday a brief tour in Israel and Palestinian territories aimed at exploring diplomatic paths to end the conflict in Gaza and Lebanon, according to the Israeli newspaper "Yedioth Ahronoth" on its website.

Barrot tweeted on platform "X" upon arrival: "I returned to Israel for difficult dialogue regarding Lebanon and Gaza. Diplomatic solutions are possible... It's time to end the tragedy that began on October 7, 2023."

In Tel Aviv, Barrot met with the families of Israeli-French detainees in Gaza, Ohad Yahalomi and Ofir Calderon, pledging France's continued "efforts to ensure the release of its citizens and all detainees in Gaza."

The French Foreign Minister's agenda includes meetings with new Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz and Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer.

Levant-Agencies

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Upon arriving to participate in the summit of the European Political Community, which includes around forty heads of state in Budapest, he said, "I look forward to sitting with the elected U.S. president and seeing how we will collectively ensure we meet challenges, including the threats from Russia and North Korea." He also noted that the strengthening of ties between Russia and North Korea poses a threat to the United States as well, according to reports from Agence France-Presse.

Before Trump's victory, Rutte expressed confidence that a united Washington would remain part of the defensive alliance, even if Trump became the 47th president of the United States. In an interview with German public broadcaster ZDF last Monday night, he stated that both Republicans and Democrats understand that NATO serves not only the security of Europe but also that of America. He added that both candidates are aware that the security of the United States is closely tied to NATO.

On Wednesday, NATO congratulated Trump on his victory but did not address the Ukrainian issue.

It is noteworthy that the relationship between the elected U.S. president and the defense alliance was not the best during his first term in the White House. Trump criticized NATO member states multiple times and even hinted at withdrawing from the alliance unless they increased their financial contributions.

Additionally, the issue of the Russian-Ukrainian war is one of the matters that complicate relations between the two sides, especially since Trump has repeatedly stated that he can end this ongoing conflict, which began in 2022, quickly. He implied that he had a peace plan between Kyiv and Moscow, while his vice president, JD Vance, revealed aspects of that plan, which stipulated Ukraine's commitment not to join NATO, thereby sending reassuring signals to the Russians.

Furthermore, many NATO member states in Europe fear that Trump might halt military aid to Ukraine after he previously criticized the U.S. for pouring funds into supporting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

November 7, 2024

France Summons Israeli Ambassador in Protest of Sovereignty Violation at Jerusalem Church

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