Diplomatic incident in French-owned Jerusalem church compound

Israeli police entered the French-owned Eleona church compound in Jerusalem, on Thursday, briefly detaining two gendarmes and prompting French Overseas Minister Jean-Noel Barrot to desert a scheduled go to, an AFP journalist reported.

“I can’t enter the Eleona Area at this time, as a result of Israeli safety forces entered with weapons, with out prior French authorisation, with out agreeing to depart at this time,” Barrot stated on the scene, calling the standoff “unacceptable”.

“This violation of the integrity of a website positioned within the care of France is liable to weaken the ties that I got here right here to domesticate with Israel, at a time when all of us want to assist the area advance on the trail in the direction of peace,” he added.

The international ministry in Paris later stated Israel’s ambassador could be summoned over the incident.

The Sanctuary of the Eleona sits in a Jerusalem compound owned by France, and together with three different websites in Israel makes up the French nationwide area within the Holy Land.

The websites have been the main focus of diplomatic incidents up to now.

The nationwide area was attributed to France earlier than Israel’s creation and is run as a non-public property by the French consulate in Jerusalem.

The AFP journalist noticed Israeli police encompass the 2 French gendarmes earlier than pushing one among them to the bottom.

The gendarme recognized himself and shouted “Do not contact me” a number of instances, in keeping with the journalist.

Each gendarmes had been then led into police automobiles. They had been later launched.

It was not clear why the Israeli police had entered the positioning.

“The Eleona Area… has not solely belonged to France for greater than 150 years, however France additionally ensures its safety, maintains it,” Barrot stated.

“The integrity of the 4 domains that France is liable for right here in Jerusalem should be revered,” he added.