for the former French ambassador to China and Russia, it is “normal” that the Israeli ambassador to France is summoned

The former French ambassador to China and Russia reacted, Monday on franceinfo, to the diplomatic incident that occurred last week in Israel, with the brief arrest of two French gendarmes in Jerusalem.

For Jean-Maurice Ripert, former French ambassador to China and Russia, the fact that the Israeli ambassador to France was summoned on Tuesday, November 12, after the diplomatic incident that occurred last week in Israel, is “normal”. Last Thursday, the visit to Jerusalem by the head of French diplomacy, Jean-Noël Barrot, was marked by a diplomatic incident. The Israeli police entered “army” et “without authorization” in Eléona, a historic pilgrimage site managed by France in East Jerusalem. Israeli police then briefly arrested two French gendarmes in civilian clothes.

“Faced with this new violation of protocol, diplomatic rules and international law, it is normal for France to react”he continues this Monday evening on franceinfo. Jean-Maurice Ripert, however, calls not to “overreact either”but according to him, France “can’t let it go.” The Israeli ambassador to France will be summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday to “provide explanations and discuss possible outcomes”announced the Quai d’Orsay this Monday.

Also questioned about the presence of Emmanuel Macron on Thursday at the football match which will pit France against Israel at the Stade de France under high security, Jean-Maurice Ripert believes that it is a good thing “in the face of this unprecedented wave of unbridled open anti-Semitism in France.” “We must react, we must not accept it”he adds. According to him, the presence of the president means, “I will be with those who will not be intimidated”. “From this point of view, the President of the Republic is sending a signal to the French Jewish community.” An act that Jean-Maurice Ripert judges “brave” et “welcome”.