France bars Samaria Regional Council head Yossi Dagan from entering country - exclusive
The decision marks an unusual move by French authorities, as there have been no previously known cases of France imposing an entry ban on a West Bank regional council head.
French authorities have refused entry to Yossi Dagan, the head of the Samaria Regional Council in the West Bank, according to sources familiar with the situation. Last week, French immigration officials informed Dagan that he would not be allowed to cross the border into France. During a border inspection, Dagan was questioned at length by an officer who presented him with documentation confirming his ban from entering the country.
Dagan, who is accused of building 35 settlements in the West Bank and advocating for Gush Katif, defended his actions, stating: "I am proud to be a Jew and a Zionist and to build the historic homeland of the Jewish people. I am proud to be on the right side of history." France's decision to bar Dagan is unprecedented, as no similar case has been recorded before involving the head of an Israeli regional council in the West Bank.
This move follows France's recent decision to ban National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir from entering the country, as announced by French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot in May.
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