France slams Israel's revocation of travel permits for French delegations
French Foreign Ministry calls move ‘regrettable, counterproductive and damaging for Franco-Israeli relations’
ISTANBUL
France on Tuesday criticized Israel’s decision to revoke travel authorizations for two French delegations, calling the move "regrettable, counterproductive and damaging for Franco-Israeli relations."
The delegations, organized by the Association for Twinning Between Palestinian Refugee Camps and French Cities and United Cities of France, were made up of elected officials and association members, the French Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
They were scheduled to visit Israel and the Palestinian territories "in the framework of decentralized cooperation initiatives," it added.
The ministry also rejected the public accusations by the Israeli Embassy in France suggesting a link between these associations and terrorist groups, calling the claims "unacceptable."
France urged Israel "to reverse these decisions," stressing that the associations work "for a lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians."
In a joint declaration last week, France, the UK and Germany denounced Israel’s decision to block humanitarian aid to Gaza, warning that Palestinian civilians, including one million children, face "serious risks of famine, epidemics and death," and called for "the immediate, rapid and unimpeded delivery of humanitarian assistance."
They also described as "unacceptable" Israeli statements about plans to maintain a military presence in Gaza after the war, urging respect for international law and a ceasefire.
The Israeli army renewed its assault on Gaza on March 18, shattering a Jan. 19 ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement with Hamas.
More than 52,300 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since October 2023 – at least 65% of them women, children, and the elderly, according to Gaza authorities.
The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants last November for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.
Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its war on the enclave.
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