French immigration authorities denied entry to Yossi Dagan, head of the Samaria Regional Council, upon his arrival at a Paris airport last week. Officials cited his active role in promoting settlement policy in the West Bank as the reason for the administrative ban, according to a diplomatic source who spoke to Al-Monitor.
Why was Yossi Dagan denied entry?
The incident occurred as Dagan arrived in Paris for a series of planned meetings with elected officials. Upon reaching passport control, he was intercepted by immigration authorities and subjected to a lengthy questioning process before being officially informed that he was prohibited from entering French territory, Al-Monitor reported.
A French diplomatic source told Al-Monitor that the decision stemmed from Dagan’s leadership within the settler movement. The source said that the administrative ban was imposed because his active role in implementing settlement policy in the West Bank is considered contrary to international law and detrimental to the prospects of a two-state solution.
How did Dagan respond to the ban?
Following the denial, Dagan traveled to Prague to continue his diplomatic schedule, which included three days of meetings with members of the Czech government, Senate, and Parliament. Addressing his entry ban from France, Yossi Dagan expressed pride in his role in building settlements in the West Bank.
“I am proud to be Jewish and Zionist and to build the historic homeland of the Jewish people. I am proud to be on the right side of history,” Dagan said.
Dagan has been a high-profile advocate for the settlement movement, recently leading campaigns across Europe and the United States to push back against international boycotts and sanctions targeting goods produced in the West Bank, Al-Monitor noted.
What support did Dagan receive in Prague?
While the French authorities blocked his entry, Dagan’s reception in the Czech Republic stood in stark contrast. During his meetings in Prague, several Czech officials expressed public solidarity with his cause.
Andrej Kuntek, chairman of the Czech ruling party’s faction in the European Parliament, thanked Dagan for his efforts. “Thank you for being the front line defending Europe. Sovereignty in your region is important,” Kuntek said.
Other Czech officials echoed this sentiment. Jiří Oberfalzer, Vice President of the Czech Senate, stated, “I stand with the residents of Samaria. I wish you success in defending your land. We stand with you.” Senior Czech parliamentarian Miroslav Janulík added, “On behalf of the Czech Parliament, I thank the people of Samaria.”
“Judea and Samaria are the future of Israel and the guarantee of Europe’s cultural and security survival,” Dagan told the Czech officials. “We are one front; we will fight together, and we will win together.”
