PARIS: France’s foreign minister refused to enter a holy site under French administration in Jerusalem on Thursday due to the presence of Israeli forces, who briefly arrested two French officials.

The incident, which comes amid strained diplomatic relations over Israel’s military operations in Gaza and Lebanon, occurred when Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot was due to visit the compound of The Church of the Pater Noster, on the Mount of Olives.

“During the visit, an argument arose between the Israeli security forces and two French security guards,” the Israeli foreign ministry said in a statement, adding they were released immediately after they identified themselves as diplomats.

The Israeli ministry added that every visiting foreign leader is accompanied by its security personnel, a point that had been “clarified in advance in the preparatory dialogue with the French embassy in Israel”. The compound, called Eleona in French, also houses a monastery and is under French administration.

“This violation of the integrity of a site under French responsibility risks undermining the ties I had come to nurture with Israel at a time when we all need to move forward the region on the path to peace,” Barrot said.

Diplomatic relations between France and Israel have worsened since President Emmanuel Macron called for an end to the supply of offensive weapons, and urged Israel to cease hostilities and focus on diplomacy.

French officials have repeatedly said that Paris is committed to Israel’s security and that its military helped defend Israel amid Iranian missile attacks earlier this year.

Published in Dawn, November 8th, 2024