Tel Aviv: Israeli authorities have taken the significant step of canceling visas for 27 French lawmakers, mayors, and elected officials who were due to visit Israel and the occupied West Bank. This move comes as a direct response to French President Emmanuel Macron's expressed intention to recognize a Palestinian state, which has stirred diplomatic tensions.

According to Anadolu Agency, the original entry visas for the French delegation were approved approximately a month ago. However, the recent developments have led to their revocation, preventing the delegation's planned arrival in Israel on Tuesday.

In a joint statement released on Monday, the French Ecologist Party and Communist Party condemned Israel's action as "collective punishment" and called on President Macron to intervene. The statement emphasized that canceling the permits just 48 hours before departure constitutes a serious breach of diplomatic relations and undermines the mandates of the elected French representatives.

The statement further urged the French state to take a firm stance, stating, "Deliberately preventing elected representatives and members of parliament from [recognizing the Palestinian state] cannot remain without consequences." This development follows President Macron's April 9 announcement, indicating France's plans to recognize a Palestinian state, potentially as soon as June.

Israel has previously denied entry to international figures, including two British lawmakers in early April, citing their support for Palestinians as the reason. Access to the occupied Palestinian territories is controlled through Israeli checkpoints, where many international and foreign delegations have faced entry denials under similar pretexts.