Israel-France Tensions Rise as Paris Reports Brief Detention of Consulate Staff in Jerusalem

France has condemned the brief detention of two of its consulate staff after Israeli police allegedly entered a French-owned holy site in Jerusalem without authorization, sparking a diplomatic dispute that has worsened already tense relations.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot had planned to visit the Eleona church compound, a French-owned site in Jerusalem, on Thursday when the incident occurred. Armed Israeli officers reportedly entered the site, detaining two consulate employees despite their diplomatic status, prompting Barrot to cancel his visit. The employees were released following Barrot’s intervention, according to the French Foreign Ministry.

The Israeli Foreign Ministry explained that the officers detained the two French guards after a dispute arose because the guards refused to identify themselves. Israel stated the officers were accompanying Barrot on his official visit, and the two guards were released once they identified as diplomats.

A video obtained by CNN shows Israeli police attempting to detain one of the French men, who can be heard repeatedly saying, “Don’t touch me” before being restrained and placed in a police car.

The Eleona church on the Mount of Olives is one of four French-administered sites in Jerusalem within the French national domain in the Holy Land. France has announced plans to summon Israel’s ambassador to address the incident. Barrot expressed concern that the breach of this French site’s integrity could harm relations at a critical time for peace efforts in the region.

During his meeting with Israeli officials on Thursday, Barrot emphasized the need for diplomatic solutions to the conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon, especially as calls for a ceasefire grow amid escalating civilian casualties over the past year. This visit comes as tensions between Israel and France have been heightened by French President Emmanuel Macron’s call to halt arms exports to Israel for use in Gaza.

Relations between Israel and France, and other European nations, have become increasingly strained, particularly after Israel’s recent ground operations against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon, backed by Iran. European countries, including France, have voiced concerns over Israeli attacks on UN peacekeeping posts in southern Lebanon, known as UNIFIL. Israel has stated it has no intention of harming UN peacekeepers but has accused Hezbollah of using UN personnel as shields.

Last month, Macron sharply criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, accusing him of “sowing barbarism” at a conference supporting Lebanon’s people and military. Additionally, the French government sought to prevent Israeli arms manufacturers from exhibiting at an upcoming Paris trade fair, though a French court later overturned the ban.

France and Israel have had several confrontations over access to French sites in Jerusalem. In 2020, Macron clashed with Israeli security officers while visiting the French-owned Church of Saint Anne, where he was recorded saying, “I don’t like what you did in front of me,” expressing his frustration.