“Israel” Cancels Visas of 27 French MPs as Macron Signals Support for Palestinian State

By Staff, Agencies

“Israel” has reportedly revoked entry visas for left-wing French lawmakers who supported the recognition of a Palestinian state.

The move comes shortly after French President Emmanuel Macron said recognition could take place at an international conference in June – a proposal condemned by "Israeli" Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The group of 27 politicians included members of France’s Ecologist and Communist parties, along with local officials and mayors. Among them were National Assembly deputies Francois Ruffin, Alexis Corbiere, and Julie Ozenne from the Ecologist party, Communist deputy Soumya Bourouaha, and Communist Senator Marianne Margate.

The politicians said on Sunday that they were invited by the French consulate in Al-Quds for a five-day trip to the occupied Palestinian territories, described as a mission to “strengthen international cooperation and the culture of peace.”

“For the first time, two days before our departure, ‘Israel’ canceled our entry visas that had been approved one month ago,” the lawmakers said in their statement, calling the decision “collective punishment.”

They described the visa ban as a “major rupture in diplomatic ties” and urged Macron to respond, adding, "Deliberately preventing elected officials and parliamentarians from traveling cannot be without consequences."

The group said their parties had for decades called for recognition of a Palestinian state.

"Israel" defended the cancelation, citing a law that allows the entity to deny entry to individuals who could act against the "Israeli" entity.

Tensions with Western lawmakers have intensified in recent months amid mounting criticism of "Israel’s" aggression on Gaza. Earlier in April, two British MPs were blocked from entering the occupied territories after being accused of planning to “spread hate speech.” "Israel" claimed the pair had misrepresented their purpose, while the UK Foreign Office described the decision as “unacceptable.”

Prior to that, an EU parliamentary delegation canceled a planned visit to Occupied Al-Quds and Ramallah after entry was denied to French MP Rima Hassan, Irish MP Lynn Boylan, and two EU staffers.

"Israeli" officials said the individuals had “consistently worked to promote boycotts against 'Israel' in addition to numerous public statements both on social media and in media interviews.”