France Bars Entry of Samaria Regional Council Head Yossi Dagan

In depth

Samaria Regional Council head Yossi Dagan arrived in Paris for a series of diplomatic meetings, but immigration authorities at the airport prevented his entry into France. According to the ministry's statement, this is an administrative order that blocks his entry into the country's territory. Dagan was taken for questioning at passport control.

During the questioning, Dagan was told that the reason was his role as head of the Samaria Regional Council, which builds settlements in Judea and Samaria, including a return to Gush Katif. The French Foreign Ministry said the reason was his active role in implementing settlement policy in the West Bank, and that the settlement is contrary to international law and undermines the possibility of realizing the two-state solution.

Dagan responded for the record: "I am proud to be a Jew and a Zionist and to build the historic homeland of the Jewish people." The Foreign Ministry said Israel views the decision with severity and will demand explanations from France. Dagan continued to the Czech capital, where he was received in a series of meetings with senior figures in the government leadership.