Israeli police briefly arrest two French gendarmes on a site managed by France, Jean-Noël Barrot denounces an “unacceptable situation”

According to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Israeli police entered “armed” and “without authorization” into the Eleona, a pilgrimage site managed by France in Jerusalem.

The visit to Jerusalem by French Minister of Foreign Affairs Jean-Noël Barrot was marked, Thursday, November 7, by a diplomatic incident. The Israeli police entered “army” et “without authorization” in Eleona, a pilgrimage site managed by France, according to the head of French diplomacy. Jean-Noël Barrot denounced a “unacceptable situation” and refused to enter the Eleona, while the Israeli police arrested two French gendarmes, according to an AFP journalist present on site.

The Israeli police then made the French gendarmes get into a police vehicle, according to the Radio France journalist present on site. The two French soldiers were released shortly after.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, who met ThursdayOutgoing Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz is visiting Israel “to continue a demanding dialogue on Lebanon and Gaza.” He is also due to meet with the President of the Palestinian Authority, Mahmoud Abbas and his Prime Minister, Mohamed Mustafa.