Paris: 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."
According to Anadolu Agency, 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, as stated by the French Foreign Ministry. They were scheduled to visit Israel and the Palestinian territories "in the framework of decentralized cooperation initiatives."
The ministry also rejected 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," emphasizing 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, with at least 65% of them being 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.