Israeli police sparked a diplomatic dispute Thursday after entering a French-owned church compound in Jerusalem with weapons and briefly detaining two French gendarmes, prompting France to summon Israel’s ambassador and cancel a planned ministerial visit to the site.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot, who was scheduled to visit the Eleona church compound, abandoned his plans following the incident. “I will not enter the Eleona Domain today, because Israeli security forces entered with weapons, without prior French authorization, without agreeing to leave today,” Barrot said at the scene, calling the confrontation “unacceptable.”
An AFP journalist witnessed Israeli police surrounding the two French gendarmes before forcing one to the ground. The gendarme identified himself and repeatedly shouted “Don’t touch me” before both officers were placed in police vehicles. They were released shortly afterward.
“This violation of the integrity of a domain placed in the care of France is liable to weaken the ties that I came here to cultivate with Israel, at a time when all of us need to help the region advance on the path towards peace,” Barrot added.
The Sanctuary of the Eleona sits within one of four sites comprising France’s national domain in the Holy Land. The property was attributed to France before Israel’s establishment and operates under French consular administration in Jerusalem as private property. These sites have previously been the focus of diplomatic incidents.
“The Eleona Domain… has not only belonged to France for more than 150 years, but France also ensures its security, maintains it,” Barrot emphasized. “The integrity of the four domains that France is responsible for here in Jerusalem must be respected.”
Israeli authorities have not provided an explanation for entering the compound. The French foreign ministry in Paris announced it would summon Israel’s ambassador over the incident.
