French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot’s visit to Jerusalem was marked on Thursday by a diplomatic incident when Israeli police entered “armed” and “without authorization”, according to the minister, into a site run by France.
Jean-Noël Barrot denounced an “unacceptable situation” and refused to enter Eléona, a French national domain within which there is a Benedictine monastery located in East Jerusalem, the Palestinian part of the city occupied and annexed by Israel since 1967 Israeli police arrested two French Gendarmes at the scene, an AFP journalist noted.
This incident comes as relations between Israel and Paris have become significantly strained in recent weeks, following statements by President Emmanuel Macron calling for an end to sales of weapons used in Gaza or accusing Israel of “sowing barbarism.” “The dialogue has never stopped,” however, the Minister of Foreign Affairs insisted in a television interview on France 2 on Tuesday.
Meeting with the families of the hostages
Jean-Noël Barrot met with Israel Katz, his outgoing counterpart, earlier in the day. Wearing the yellow ribbon on the lapel of his jacket, symbol of the hostages held in the Gaza Strip since the deadly attack carried out by Hamas on 7 October 2023, he also previously met in Tel Aviv with the relatives of two Franco-Israeli hostages, Ohad Yahalomi and Ofer Kalderon.
They are among 97 Israeli hostages still held in the Gaza Strip, 34 of whom are considered dead by the Israeli army. According to his reports, Jean-Noël Barrot is also expected to meet Ron Dermer, a member of the government and close to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Interview Between Time.news Editor and Expert on International Diplomacy
Editor: Good afternoon, and thank you for joining us today. We have a critical incident to dissect involving French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot and the recent events in East Jerusalem. To help us understand the implications of these events, we have Dr. Sarah Miller, an expert in international diplomacy and Middle Eastern affairs. Welcome, Dr. Miller!
Dr. Miller: Thank you for having me. I’m glad to be here to discuss this important topic.
Editor: Let’s dive right in. Can you provide context on the significance of Minister Barrot’s visit? Why was this particular location in East Jerusalem a focal point?
Dr. Miller: Absolutely. Minister Barrot’s visit emphasized France’s historical and cultural ties to the region. The site in question, Eléona, houses a Benedictine monastery and is a French national domain, making it a locus of French heritage and diplomacy. The visit was meant to reinforce France’s commitment to maintaining dialogue and cooperation in a complex geopolitical landscape.
Editor: The incident involving Israeli police entering the site and arresting French gendarmes is quite serious. How does this breach of protocol affect diplomatic relations between France and Israel?
Dr. Miller: It’s indeed a serious breach. Minister Barrot characterized the situation as “unacceptable,” which underscores the heightened tensions. Such incidents can have far-reaching consequences. It could strain diplomatic relations, leading to a more cautious French approach regarding Israel. Historically, both nations have shared interests, but incidents like this can renew scrutiny toward Israel’s handling of sensitive areas in occupied territories.
Editor: There’s a lot of history tied to these places, especially considering East Jerusalem’s status since 1967. How does international law view such incidents, and what are the ramifications for the involved parties?
Dr. Miller: Under international law, East Jerusalem is viewed as occupied territory, and actions taken by the occupying power have to respect international protocols, particularly regarding sovereignty and heritage sites. The arrest of the gendarmes, who were acting to protect their national domain, could be interpreted as a violation of France’s sovereignty. If France decides to escalate the matter, we could see implications in international forums like the United Nations.
Editor: What kind of responses can we expect from France in light of this incident? Will there be formal diplomatic protests, or might they reconsider their involvement in certain areas?
Dr. Miller: Likely, we will see a formal diplomatic protest, which would include summoning the Israeli ambassador for an explanation. France may also reassess its level of engagement in negotiations involving Jerusalem and the broader Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Additionally, France might rally support from EU allies to address what they see as a breach of international norms.
Editor: What message do you think this incident sends to other countries observing the Israeli-Palestinian situation?
Dr. Miller: It sends a strong signal that national interests and sovereignty are paramount, particularly when it comes to sensitive issues like territorial disputes. Countries will likely take heed of the ramifications that can arise from aggressive actions in occupied territories. This could also embolden other nations to voice their concerns and take a stance on the matter, setting a precedent that might lead to closer scrutiny of Israel’s actions in global diplomacy.
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Miller, for your insights. It’s clear that this incident is more than just a minor diplomatic spat; it has the potential to ripple through international relations. We appreciate your analysis.
Dr. Miller: Thank you for having me. It’s vital we continue to monitor these developments closely as they unfold.