In a statement, Dagan’s office condemned the action and, without specifying the date or airport of the incident, emphasized that he was forced to leave France after arriving at Paris airport last week.
“During passport control, he was detained and interrogated,” the statement said, and then informed that he was barred from entering French territory.
On the other hand, the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not confirm the expulsion, but emphasized that Dagan is subject to an administrative ban from entering French territory due to his active role in the implementation of settlement policy in the West Bank.
The ministry added that the construction of settlements is against international law and undermines the two-state solution.
The occupying Foreign Ministry also declared that the action against Dagan, which was carried out on clear political and ideological grounds, was completely unacceptable, adding: “Israel will ask the French government for an explanation and will consider its next steps accordingly.”
The French Le Monde newspaper also wrote that Dagan had come to Paris from Israel as part of a European tour that included other countries, but he could not leave the airport area and was returned to Israel on the next flight.
Gideon Sa’er, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Zionist regime, also said: “France has decided to take a stand against Israel and gives legitimacy to those who want to destroy it, and this decision will not stop us from continuing to defend our security and settlements.”
Dagan also told Israeli media that he was “shocked” by the decision and planned to participate in solidarity events with Israel in Paris. He emphasized that “preventing an Israeli from entering France because he is a Jew and a Zionist is a disgrace.”
“I will not hide and I will continue to work for Israel,” he added.
This comes amid heightened tensions between Israel and European countries over West Bank settlements.
Excluding the annexed East Jerusalem, more than 500,000 Israelis live in settlements in the West Bank and about 3 million Palestinians.
Several countries, including France, announced in September plans to impose sanctions on trade with West Bank settlements.
On Monday, a French parliamentary committee approved a draft law aimed at banning the import of products and services from Israeli settlements that help build the settlements.
