Israeli Police Enter French Church In Jerusalem Detain Gendarmes, Spark Diplomatic Tensions

Israeli police entered the French-owned Eleona Church compound in Jerusalem on Thursday, briefly detaining two French gendarmes and prompting French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot to cancel a scheduled visit to the site.

Speaking at the scene, Barrot condemned the incident, describing the Israeli police’s actions as “unacceptable.” He expressed frustration that Israeli forces had entered the site armed, without prior French authorization, and had refused to leave when requested. “This violation of the integrity of a domain placed in the care of France is liable to weaken the ties I came here to cultivate with Israel,” Barrot said.

The Eleona Sanctuary, part of a French national domain in the Holy Land, is one of several French-owned sites in Jerusalem. These properties, attributed to France before Israel’s establishment, are administered by the French consulate. The incident drew immediate diplomatic fallout, with France’s foreign ministry announcing that Israel’s ambassador would be summoned for an explanation.

AFP reporters on the scene saw Israeli police surround and briefly detain the two gendarmes, pushing one to the ground as he identified himself. The officers were later released, though the reasons for their detainment remain unclear.

Barrot emphasized France’s responsibility for maintaining and securing the Eleona Domain, which has belonged to France for over 150 years. He called for respect for the integrity of all French-controlled properties in Jerusalem, stating, “France ensures its security and maintenance.”