World Affairs Forum
- Mar 21, 2024
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France’s Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot was due to visit the French-owned Eleona church compound, which houses a sanctuary, on Thursday when the incident occurred.
Armed Israeli officers entered the site without authorization, France’s Foreign Ministry said, arresting the two consulate staff members “despite the fact that they are officials with diplomatic status” and prompting Barrot to abandon his visit.
The employees were later released following the intervention of the minister, France’s Foreign Ministry statement said.
In a separate statement, Israel’s Foreign Ministry said an argument arose between Israeli security forces and two French security guards “who refused to identify themselves.”
“The two were detained by the police and released immediately after identifying themselves as diplomats,” it said, adding that the Israeli security officers were accompanying the foreign minister on his official visit.
Video obtained by CNN showed two police officers attempting to detain one of the French men as he repeatedly says, “Don’t touch me,” before being forced to the ground, apprehended and ushered into a police car.
