France Bans Israeli Official Yossi Dagan Over Settlement Activity
France denied entry to Samaria Regional Council head Yossi Dagan, citing his role in West Bank settlements as a violation of international law.
French immigration authorities denied entry to Yossi Dagan, head of the Samaria Regional Council, at Paris' Charles de Gaulle Airport last week. Dagan was detained for questioning at passport control before officials informed him of an administrative ban on entering French territory.
The French Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated the ban resulted from Dagan's active role in implementing settlement policies in the West Bank and his advocacy for returning to the Gush Katif bloc in the Gaza Strip. French officials characterized these activities as contrary to international law and a threat to the two-state solution.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Israel condemned the move as a completely unacceptable step based on political and ideological grounds. The incident follows a period of strained diplomatic relations, including France's 2025 recognition of a Palestinian state and recent efforts by the French National Assembly to ban imports from Israeli settlements in the West Bank and Golan Heights.
Following the denial of entry, Dagan traveled to Prague, Czech Republic, to meet with government and parliamentary officials. During these meetings, Czech Senate Deputy President Jiří Oberfalzer expressed support for Dagan and the residents of Samaria. Dagan argued that Israeli control of the West Bank is essential for the cultural and security survival of Europe.
