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