AhlulBayt News Agency: The Municipality of Bethlehem has strongly condemned the Israeli regime’s decision to block a delegation of 50 French local officials from entering Palestine, calling it an “unacceptable breach” of international cooperation and a deliberate effort to hinder peace-building initiatives between the Palestinian and French peoples.
Bethlehem’s Mayor Anton Salman criticized the abrupt revocation of the delegation’s entry, which Israeli authorities justified by alleging links to groups deemed “hostile” to “Israel’s security.” The delegation, representing cities like Grenoble, Montpellier, and Strasbourg, was set to visit Bethlehem as part of the "Palestine Year 2025" initiative, celebrating three decades of partnership between French and Palestinian municipalities. The visit was to conclude with a ceremony highlighting joint cooperation projects.
Salman expressed deep disapproval, stating that such actions not only undermine civil initiatives but also punish those working toward a just and lasting peace. He emphasized that these measures are part of a broader strategy to isolate Palestinians. Despite this, he reaffirmed Bethlehem’s commitment to its values of peace, dignity, and freedom, underscoring its historical significance as the birthplace of Jesus Christ.
Palestinian pastor and theologian Munther Isaac also reacted, warning on X (formerly Twitter) that Israel is turning Bethlehem and other Palestinian cities into isolated enclaves, akin to Gaza, which remains under a devastating blockade and war.
The ban follows Israel’s recent cancellation of visas for 27 French lawmakers and officials, a move criticized by France’s foreign ministry as “regrettable and counterproductive.” It also comes amid speculation that French President Emmanuel Macron may recognize a Palestinian state, a prospect strongly opposed by Israeli officials.
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