Jerusalem Church Dispute Escalates Tension Between Israel and France

On Thursday, armed Israeli police entered a French-owned church compound in Jerusalem, briefly detaining two consulate employees, prompting France’s foreign minister, Jean-Noël Barrot, to cancel his planned visit to the site. This incident comes amid strained diplomatic ties between France and Israel following French President Emmanuel Macron’s call for an arms embargo on Israel, which faced criticism from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

France’s Foreign Ministry announced plans to summon the Israeli ambassador in protest. In a statement, they condemned the intrusion at the Church of the Pater Noster courtyard, expressing Foreign Minister Barrot’s disappointment and leading him to forgo his scheduled visit. The ministry noted that the detained consulate employees were released after Barrot’s intervention.

Barrot, who was meeting with Israeli officials in Jerusalem, urged a cease-fire in Gaza and a diplomatic approach in Lebanon. He told reporters that this incident undermined France’s efforts to build stronger relations with Israel, especially at a time when de-escalation in the region is crucial.

Israeli police described the event as a misunderstanding, stating that two church workers initially refused entry to security guards accompanying Barrot. The employees were briefly held until their identities as consulate staff were confirmed, after which they were released. Police added that foreign ministers visiting Israel are provided with Israeli security, and the details of Barrot’s visit had been coordinated with the French Embassy.

Barrot had planned to visit the Mount of Olives, where the Church of the Pater Noster is located. This historical site, believed to be where Jesus taught the Lord’s Prayer, was acquired by Princess Héloïse de la Tour d’Auvergne in the 19th century and has been maintained by French Carmelite nuns since 1874. Barrot emphasized France’s longstanding role in preserving the site’s heritage and security.

This incident mirrors past tensions between French leaders and Israeli security. In 2020, President Macron had a similar confrontation with Israeli guards at a different French church, and in 1996, President Jacques Chirac clashed with Israeli forces, prompting an apology from then-Prime Minister Netanyahu.

The symbolic weight of such incidents is amplified by Jerusalem’s contested status. Israel claims the entire city as its capital, while Palestinians seek East Jerusalem as the capital of a future state. Israel’s annexation of East Jerusalem in 1967 remains internationally unrecognized.

The incident occurred amid heightened tensions since the October 7 Hamas attacks on Israel. While Macron has supported Israel’s right to defend itself, he has also urged restraint to reduce civilian casualties in Gaza and Lebanon. Later on Thursday, Barrot met with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Ramallah for further discussions on the conflict.