France in new row with Israel after turning away prominent settler

France has initiated a new diplomatic dispute with Israel by refusing entry to a prominent Israeli settler, Yossi Dagan. Dagan, who heads a government body responsible for overseeing settlement development in the occupied West Bank, was barred from entering France. The Israeli Foreign Ministry labeled the ban as "completely unacceptable," stating that settlement activity is contrary to international law and undermines the two-state solution.

French authorities had not previously disclosed the ban on Dagan. Since 2024, Paris has banned 59 Israelis associated with the settler movement, including Israeli Minister Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir, both of whom have close ties to Dagan. The ban on Dagan followed an outcry over the mistreatment of European activists on a flotilla to Gaza.

Smotrich's ban coincided with similar actions taken by several EU countries, Australia, Canada, and the UK. Dagan was reportedly stopped by border officials upon his arrival in Paris, with officials informing him of his ineligibility to enter France due to his role in establishing 35 settlements in the northern West Bank and promoting re-establishment of Jewish settlements in Gaza.

These bans have exacerbated tensions between Israel and France, as well as with other nations such as the Netherlands. Relations between France and Israel deteriorated when French President Emmanuel Macron recognized a Palestinian state in 2022, alongside 10 other western nations. European nations had anticipated improved relations following the Israeli elections in October, which resulted in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's continued leadership.

Nonetheless, Netanyahu's political rival, Gadi Eisenkot, has been given 28 days to form a government. Should Eisenkot fail, Netanyahu will assume power once more. However, even if Eisenkot succeeds, it is unlikely he will significantly alter Netanyahu's pro-settlement policies in the West Bank, as he remains opposed to the establishment of a Palestinian state favored by the EU.