Israeli Police Detain French Consulate Workers in Jerusalem

Israeli Police Detain French Consulate Workers in Jerusalem \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Israeli police entered a French-owned church compound in Jerusalem, detaining two French consulate employees, leading to diplomatic friction and a formal protest from France. The confrontation disrupted French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot’s planned visit and highlighted longstanding sensitivities in Jerusalem’s religious and political landscape, especially amid ongoing conflicts and calls for peace by France.

French Diplomatic Incident in Jerusalem: Full Analysis Quick Looks:

• Incident Details: Israeli police entered the Church of the Pater Noster, detaining French consulate workers.
• Diplomatic Fallout: France plans to summon Israel’s ambassador to address the breach.
• Barrot’s Response: Expressed that the incident could harm French-Israeli relations.
• Israeli Stance: Described the situation as a misunderstanding involving security protocols.
• Historical Significance: Site has religious and cultural importance, deepening symbolic impact.
• Political Context: Tensions follow Macron’s call for an arms embargo on Israel.
• Previous Clashes: Incidents involving French presidents Macron and Chirac also occurred.
• Ongoing Conflicts: France urges de-escalation in Gaza and Lebanon amid Israeli military campaigns.

Deep Look:

On Thursday, a high-profile diplomatic incident unfolded in Jerusalem when Israeli police forced their way into a French-owned church compound on the Mount of Olives, detaining two staff members from the French Consulate. The compound, known as the Church of the Pater Noster, holds deep historical and religious significance, believed by many to be where Jesus taught the Lord’s Prayer. The confrontation led to immediate fallout, with French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot abandoning his scheduled visit to the site and expressing dismay at the situation’s potential to damage Franco-Israeli relations.

“I would like to take this opportunity to state that this attack on the integrity of a domain under France’s responsibility is likely to weaken the bonds I have come to cultivate with Israel at a time when we all need to make progress in the region on the road to peace,” Barrot said in Jerusalem. His trip included meetings with Israeli officials to advocate for a cease-fire in Gaza and address military escalations involving Lebanon’s Hezbollah forces. The church visit was meant to symbolize France’s longstanding cultural and religious ties to Jerusalem.

The French Foreign Ministry issued a strong statement condemning the Israeli action and revealed plans to summon Israel’s ambassador for further discussions. The ministry expressed frustration that Israeli police had detained consulate employees despite their diplomatic status, adding that the employees were released only after Barrot’s direct intervention.

Israeli police defended their actions, framing the incident as a security protocol issue. According to their account, two church employees refused to identify themselves when police sought to accompany Barrot during his visit. The police detained the workers for about 20 minutes until they verified their consular affiliation. The Israeli security forces emphasized that all foreign ministers visiting Israel receive designated Israeli security details, and arrangements for Barrot’s visit had been coordinated with the French Embassy. The Israeli police also warned against “misleading narratives” about the event.

The Church of the Pater Noster’s history amplifies the significance of the incident. The site was originally built by Crusaders and later purchased by Princess Héloïse de la Tour d’Auvergne in the 19th century. It has been under the stewardship of French Carmelite nuns since 1874, who maintain the courtyard and cloisters adorned with the Lord’s Prayer inscribed in multiple languages. The compound’s status as French property underscores its importance in bilateral relations and regional religious dynamics.

Tensions between Israel and France have been simmering since French President Emmanuel Macron’s call for an arms embargo on Israel in response to civilian casualties during Israeli military operations. This stance has sparked backlash from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and heightened diplomatic friction. Macron has balanced support for Israel’s right to defend itself with appeals for restraint, particularly concerning military campaigns in Gaza and Lebanon, which have led to significant loss of life and regional instability.

Similar incidents involving French leaders have occurred before. In 2020, Macron publicly rebuked Israeli security forces at the entrance to another French-owned church in Jerusalem, demanding they respect the site’s autonomy. In 1996, French President Jacques Chirac had a contentious interaction with Israeli security during a visit, accusing them of harassment—a moment so tense that then-Prime Minister Netanyahu issued an apology.

The symbolic weight of such altercations is magnified by Jerusalem’s contested status. Israel claims the city as its “unified, eternal” capital after annexing East Jerusalem following the 1967 Six-Day War. This move remains unrecognized by much of the international community, including France, which continues to view East Jerusalem as part of the territories Palestinians claim for their future state, with aspirations of making it their capital.

Since the October 7 Hamas attacks on Israel last year, President Macron has shown unwavering support for Israel’s right to self-defense but has urged Israeli forces to avoid civilian harm in their operations. Barrot’s visit and the disruption it faced further underscore the volatile state of Israeli-Palestinian relations and the intricate role international diplomacy plays in this charged environment.

Later on Thursday, Barrot met with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Ramallah, situated in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, to discuss ongoing hostilities and potential avenues for peace. The diplomatic landscape remains tense, with France positioning itself as an advocate for both support and accountability in the region. Barrot’s statement reinforced the importance of protecting diplomatic integrity and respecting historical ties as part of broader peace efforts.

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