France denies Israeli settler leader entry: What to know

Detailed summary

The head of Israel's Samaria Regional Council settler organization claims that France turned him back at the Paris airport.

PARIS — Yossi Dagan, head of the Samaria Regional Council settler organization, said Wednesday that he was denied entry to France last week over his involvement in West Bank settlement construction.

What happened: According to a statement issued by the council Wednesday, French immigration authorities stopped Dagan for questioning upon his arrival at the Paris airport. After questioning him at length, they informed him that he would not be allowed to enter the country, the statement said.

A French diplomatic source told Al-Monitor on condition of unanimity, “Mr. Dagan is subject to an administrative ban on entering French territory because of his active role in implementing the settlement policy in the West Bank. Settlement activity is contrary to international law and undermines the two-state solution.”

Background: Dagan is a prominent figure in the West Bank settlement movement. Most recently, he has led public diplomacy campaigns in Europe and the United States to counter international sanctions and boycotts targeting products from West Bank settlements.

Opening of the article, excerpted from Al-Monitor. To read the rest, open the article on the publisher's site.